Help Karnal youth return from Russia, kin urge Modi, Putin

Family members of 21-year-old youth Anuj from Chaura village in Gharaunda in the district, who went missing in Russia after allegedly being misled by agents and forced into joining the Russian army, urged the Union Government and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently on an official visit to India, to help in bringing Anuj back safely.

The family members said that they have not been able to contact Anuj since October 13, when he went to the war front.

Anuj, who travelled to Russia in May on a study visa, had hoped to find work abroad and improve his family’s financial condition. His family paid nearly Rs 6 lakh to an agent who promised him a stable future and arranged his travel. On reaching Russia, Anuj managed to secure a job at a gym, said Arjun, Anuj’s brother.

He said that another agent approached Anuj and several other Indian youths, luring them with promises of high earnings. “When they resisted, the agent persuaded them again, offering Rs 52 lakh that would be transferred gradually into their accounts. Influenced by these assurances, Anuj eventually agreed and was recruited into the Russian army. He was given 10-day basic military training before being deployed into the battlefield,” he said, adding that Anuj made his last phone call home informing them that he and others were being sent to the “red zone” of the war. Since that day, the family has been unable to contact him.

Vishal, another brother of Anuj, made an emotional appeal to Modi and Putin to help the family. “We request both PM Modi and Russian President Putin to help us in bringing our brother back. Since India and Russia share strong relations, we hope Russia will help us,” he added.

He said that they have made all possible efforts to know about Anuj through emails to the authorities, contacting the Indian Embassy, approaching the PMO, but still no official update about Anuj’s whereabouts has been received.