Goraya youth stuck in Russian warzone, brother protests in Delhi for his release
Aakanksha N Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 13
Fed up of the long wait and unanswered questions, Jagdeep Kumar, brother of Goraya-based youth Mandeep Kumar, who is allegedly stuck in Russia-Ukraine warzone, demanded the release of his brother today at India Gate, New Delhi.
He was carrying a flex banner with the picture of his brother. “I want the authorities and the government to see and hear what we have to say. We are suffering and dying everyday,” an emotional Jagdeep said.
It has been more than five months since the family last heard from Mandeep. They had spoken to him on March 3, and after that there was no update of his whereabouts.
The banner reads: “Russian army mein fasaya gaya Punjab ka Mandeep Kumar aur anya Bhartiyo ko jald se jald Bharat laya jaaye aur agents ke khilaaf karvaayi ki jaaye (Mandeep Kumar from Punjab and others who are stuck in Russia should be brought back and action must be taken against the agents).”
Mandeep had gone to Armenia to earn livelihood. He then came in contact with a travel agent through social media who promised to send him to Italy. “But, when my brother reached Russia, he was tricked into joining the Russian army,” Jagdeep said.
Notably, the Goraya police have also lodged an FIR in this case against travel agents, but no arrest has been made yet. The Goraya SHO said the investigation was on and two travel agents were already traced. “They are from Hoshiarpur and will be nabbed,” the SHO said.
“I live here with my old parents. We do not look at each other, we do not talk to each other. Everybody has gone quiet. We are dying to hear from him. Every time I go home, my parents hope that I will finally tell them that Mandeep called up. Nobody will understand our pain,” a distressed Jagdeep said.
He has also sent several emails to the Centre and the Punjab Government. But, to no avail. “Reports of men dying in the war have made us numb. We just want Mandeep back,” the sibling said.
