156 Indians evacuated from South Sudan

The first batch of 156 people, including nine women and three children, evacuated from war-torn South Sudan, arrived in India on Friday on board an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 “Globemaster” transport aircraft, highlighting the successful execution of “Operation Sankat Mochan”, even as about 300 Indians employed there refused to return. While 156 who turned up were evacuated, about 30 to 40 people are expected to return soon by commercial flights. An Indian embassy advisory at Juba apparently said, “Nationals should rest assured that additional flights will be pressed in service if required,” indicating that the Indian Government would try its best to evacuate more Indians even at a later stage if they chose to return.

“When we landed, 156 came out with us. There were 30-40 people who had already booked their tickets when the commercial flights started and 300 people did not want to be evacuated due to their business concerns and other activities. There are nine women and three children among those evacuated,” minister of state for external affairs Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd), who was leading the evacuation efforts, was quoted as telling saying. On those who turned down the government’s plea to be evacuated, Gen. Singh said, “We tried to convince them. I suppose business comes first, life comes later (for them)....”, he was further quoted as saying. “After fighting broke out in Juba and its outskirts, our aim was to evacuate our people who were in danger. As per our information, there were 550 plus people in Juba itself with another 150 Indians in areas where the oil wells are,” he said, adding that he had also met the vice-president of South Sudan. The evacuation exercise faced a hurdle when several Indians, after registering with the MEA for leaving South Sudan, refused to return, despite an appeal by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter asking them to move out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday also hailed the efforts of the external affairs ministry and the defence ministry, the IAF, Air India and the Railways for undertaking evacuation of Indians from war-torn South Sudan under the ‘Operation Sankat Mochan’.

“The C-17 plane from South Sudan’s capital city Juba with Gen. (retd.) Singh escorting the evacuees, including two Nepalese citizens, made a brief halt in Thiruvanathapuram where passengers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu disembarked before leaving for Delhi. The IAF plane landed at the IGI Airport in New Delhi on Friday morning.

“Opn #SankatMochan successful Back to Capital! @Gen_VKSingh leads Indians safely back from South Sudan to New Delhi.” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. “The flight from South Sudan has landed in Delhi. My colleague Shri Vijay Goyal is at the airport to receive them,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted. “I welcome our brothers and sisters on their safe return from strife torn South Sudan. Your country is always with you in hour of crisis,” Ms. Swaraj added. She expressed her gratitude to the Indian Air Force and its officers for safe evacuation of Indian nationals from the strife-torn territory.

“Our heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Air Force and their brave officers who carried out this mission,” the External Affairs Minister said in here tweet. “I appreciate my MEA officers, Indian Ambassador to South Sudan and his team for their meticulous work,” she further tweeted.

The C-17 aircraft was brought via Uganda and the minister also met Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda who on his part assured India of all help. South Sudan is witnessing heavy fighting between former rebels and government soldiers in several parts of the city.

“The Prime Minister has welcomed all our Indian sisters & brothers who have returned from South Sudan,” the PMO said. “PM spoke to EAM @SushmaSwaraj ji & MoS @Gen_VKSingh ji & congratulated them for their efforts in rescuing Indians,” it added in a tweet. “PM congratulated RM @manoharparrikar, IAF, the Railways, @airindiain for their role in Operation #SankatMochan,” the PMO said.

“Operation #SankatMochan Safely out of the danger zone. The first flight makes a technical halt at Entebbe, Uganda,” Gen. (retd.) V.K. Singh had tweeted on Thursday night.