New Delhi: India has initiated 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its citizens from the violence-stricken Haiti to the neighboring Dominican Republic. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the launch of this rescue mission in a social media post.

Haiti, situated in the Caribbean, has plunged into turmoil with armed gangs seizing control of its streets, leading to the virtual disappearance of the government. As part of the ongoing operation, 12 Indian nationals were safely evacuated on Thursday. "India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," Jaishankar wrote on X.

The decision to implement Operation Indravati follows earlier remarks made by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, during a weekly press briefing on March 15. "As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that," Jaiswal stated, as reported by the media.

HAITI IN CHAOS DUE TO GANG VIOLENCE

Haiti has been grappling with a state of emergency triggered by recent violent attacks. Haiti, a Caribbean country, has plunged into chaos due to gang warfare. The US has airlifted non-essential staff from its embassy and the country has declared a state of emergency.

On March 12, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, stranded outside the country, resigned. This comes after gangs attacked airports, police stations, and prisons. Thousands of jail inmates have fled too. Jimmy Cherizier, popular as 'Babekyou' or 'Barbecue', is a 47-year-old rifle-toting former police officer and the leader of the notorious 'G9 and Family' gang and is now the most powerful man in Haiti, reports the media.

The ongoing chaos has prompted widespread displacement, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes, adding to the already significant number of internally displaced persons due to gang violence.

Gang control in Haiti's capital has reached 80%, according to the UN, with fighting ongoing in the remaining areas. In response to the violence and theft in the Caribbean country, a control room and emergency number were set up to help Indian citizens leave Haiti safely. "We've set up a control room at the Ministry of External Affairs and emergency hotlines," Jaiswal said at the press conference, as reported by the media.

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