Kin of Goraya youth stuck in Russian warzone seek arrest of travel agents

Jalandhar, August 20

Family members of Mandeep Kumar, a Goraya youth who is stuck in the Russian warzone, have been running from pillar to post to ensure the safe return of Mandeep from the warzone at the earliest.

Cheated by group of agents

Mandeep (pic) had gone to Armenia to earn a livelihood. He came in contact with travel agents through social media who promised to send him to Italy. But my brother reached Russia, where he was tricked into joining the Russian army. — Jagdeep Singh, Trapped youth's brother

Fed up with the long wait and unanswered questions, Jagdeep Kumar, brother of Mandeep Kumar, sought the release of his brother and raised the demand recently 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 want 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 read: “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.

The Goraya police have also lodged an FIR in this case against as many as eight travel agents, but no arrest has been made yet. As per information, the FIR was lodged a month ago, still none of the travel agents has been arrested.

The SHO had said the investigation was on and two travel agents were already traced. “They are from Hoshiarpur and will be nabbed,” the SHO claimed, but there is no development in the case yet.

Jagdeep, Mandeep’a brother, who runs a mobile shop, said he had sent an e-mail to the police to expedite the process. “I don’t know why cannot the police nab the persons who have done such a heinous crime,” an agitated Kumar 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 my brother. 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 e-mails 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.