New Delhi July 15: To ensure the safe return of four Indian youth stranded in Ethiopia, Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu has formally reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs seeking their immediate repatriation. The individuals, hailing from Punjab and Haryana, had travelled to the African nation on tourist visas but were subsequently detained by local immigration authorities after managing to escape from a kidnapping attempt.
The stranded youth have been identified as Gorav, a resident of Phagwara in Kapurthala, Punjab; Manjit Singh from Rahimabad, Kalanaur in Gurdaspur, Punjab; alongside Sukhwinder Singh Kakrala and Surjit Singh Cheeka, both residents of Kaithal, Haryana.
In his communication to the Ministry, MP Sandhu affirmed that the families of the four men are undergoing severe mental agony and have expressed grave concern over the well-being and safety of their loved ones. He maintained that his office is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all relevant authorities to ensure a safe passage back to India.
Detailing the harrowing incident, the Member of Parliament declared that the youth were lured from the airport under the pretext of being dropped off at a hotel, only to be misled, held captive, and tortured by kidnappers. He asserted that the perpetrators, including one who spoke Punjabi, inflicted physical harm on the youth and took away their money and belongings.
MP Sandhu added that the photographs and videos of the victims showing injuries from sharp weapons are deeply shocking, prompting him to raise the issue directly with both the Union Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia.
While expressing optimism about the rescue efforts, the MP declared that the Union government remains highly responsive to such sensitive matters and acts promptly when such cases are brought to light. He expressed confidence that the youth would soon be reunited with their families.
Addressing the broader issue of migration, MP Sandhu maintained that while efforts are fully underway to bring these youth back, there is an urgent need for caution among citizens planning travel abroad to avoid putting their lives at risk. He also asserted that it is vital to create constructive opportunities within Punjab so that the youth do not feel compelled to take such extreme risks in search of foreign shores.
