Friends and family of Urgen Tamang (47), who is from Kalimpong in West Bengal, have also written to Russia President Vladimir Putin on his behalf, explaining his situation and asking for help.
The Indian Express had earlier reported that Urgen was duped by agents who promised him the job of a security guard in Russia, but took him to the frontlines of the war with Ukraine. Back home, Urgen has a wife and two children, as well as an ailing father.
Asking Indian authorities for help, Urgen has released videos in the past via Rabi Pradhan, chairman of Kalimpong Municipality. In a fresh video sent on July 21, he said, “I have appealed to the Indian government many times to rescue me. I am alive so far, but I don’t know what will happen in the future. However, other Indians and I are hopeful that we will return home. All of us Indians appeal to the Indian government to bring us home as soon as possible. As long I am alive, there is hope.”
In a meeting earlier this month between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin in Moscow, the return of Indians fighting in the war was discussed.
On Tuesday, Rabi Pradhan emailed a letter, on Urgen’s behalf, to Putin through the Russian Embassy in Delhi.
“My name is Urgen Tamang, I’m from India, I’m a retired soldier of the Indian Army,” the letter read. It said that he was misled into joining the Russian Army, into which he was drafted on March 3, this year.
It also said that he had been sent to the frontlines of the war. “…please help me. My father is in poor health. I ask you to send me back as soon as possible… We would be very grateful for your help and support,” the letter said.
Rabi Pradhan told The Indian Express, “We are desperately knocking every door possible for his rescue. On behalf of Urgen, we sent a letter to the Russian President through its embassy in Delhi on July 21. I even got my friend to translate the letter into Russian and send it. All relevant papers are attached.”
On July 19, Pradhan had written to both PM Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to help rescue Urgen. That letter said that though Modi raised the issue of Indians fighting in Russia during his meeting with Putin, “till date we have not got any positive” response. “Please consider the matter and take necessary action as early as possible…,” the letter said.
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