Wife of a 47-year-old ex-serviceman from West Bengal’s Kalimpong, who was allegedly tricked and taken to Russia to fight the Ukraine war, is still waiting for her husband to return from the war-torn country.
Months after appeals to the Indian government, Urgen Tamang’s wife Ambika pointed out that her husband was promised the job of a security guard in Moscow, but was deceived. “I don’t know who I can contact to bring my husband back. I have two small daughters and have knocked on all possible doors, but didn’t receive any help from any side. My husband continues to be in Russia under worse circumstances,” she said.
With the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Tamang’s are worried that it might take more time to bring Urgen back home. The ex-serviceman, in a video message, had earlier appealed to the Indian government seeking help to return to the country.
Kalimpong Municipality chairman Ravi Pradhan, who is also the neighbour of the family said, “I have written 17 letters to all the concerned people including the President, the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of the State, but have not received any response. I just got one response from the External Affairs Ministry that they are taking efforts to bring him back. They informed us that they are also in talk with the Russian embassy. I can see nothing has worked out. He (Urgen) is still there in Russia.”
Unfortunately, even contacting Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has not yielded much progress in bringing Urgen Tamang home. “Even he couldn’t help much,” said Pradhan.
Pradhan informed that Urgen Tamang is currently in the border area of Russia and Ukraine. He moved to Russia in hope of better job opportunities and salary, which would help the family lead a comfortable life. He received 20 days of training in handling weapons and ammunition. He’s now trapped in a remote jungle with no way to contact his family. Only when he stumbles upon a rare signal can he send a desperate message via WhatsApp.
During their last conversation on Saturday night, the wife learned of her husband’s terrible survival conditions, Pradhan said, adding that, “He’s starving, with barely any food to sustain himself, and has no proper place to sleep.”