NEW DELHI: Several States have formed support centres and announced assistance for Indians evacuated from the war-torn Sudan once they reach in the US, including free travel and lodging.
The Kerala Government announced that it will make the required arrangements to bring Malayalees that the Centre had evacuated from Sudan to the State. A Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided that Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department would help evacuees at various airports, said Chief Minister's office.
"Those coming from Sudan can contact Neeraj Singh, assistant review officer, on 8920808414, or Ashish Kumar, protocol assistant, on 9313434088, or WhatsApp them about their problems." an order issued by Additional Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, Saumya Srivastava said.
All migrants from the State will have their transportation costs covered by the Rajasthan Government after they arrive in Delhi. The government would also arrange for the returnees' boarding and accommodation.
Shubra Singh, the Chief Resident Commissioner at Bikaner House, requested all Rajasthan residents who were impacted to provide information to state authorities. Dhiraj Srivastava who is the Commissioner of Rajasthan Foundation said the State Government has decided to assist the returnees. "it will ensure that all the returnees from Sudan reach their families in Rajasthan free of cost from Delhi, regardless of whether they are they are travelling by flight, bus, or any other form of transport."
The government of Madhya Pradesh has set up a helpline to assist citizens of the State and other regions of the nation who are stranded in Sudan due to civil war.
The official advised those stranded in Sudan who want to return to MP or other States to call the helpline "91-755-2555582" and provide their information. He stated that the State Government will work with the Centre to facilitate their relocation.
The State's home secretary, Gaurav Rajput, has been designated as the nodal officer by the administration.
Besides, relatives of Madhya Pradesh residents stuck in Sudan can also contact the Chief Minster Helpline “181” to register details about their near and dear ones for getting assistance, the official said. The official said that the data may potentially be registered on the CM Helpline Portal.
India set up a transit centre in Jeddah as part of its evacuation mission known as "Operation Kaveri," which was initiated on Monday. All Indians were transported to the Saudi Arabian city following their departure from Sudan.
Following the rescue of another 278 individuals from the civil war-torn nation by a naval ship, the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew over 250 Indians out of Sudan using two military transport planes. 530 Indians have been evacuated from Sudan in total to date, according to government statistics.
The frontline ship of the Indian Navy, INS Sumedha, evacuated the first group of 278 Indians on Tuesday. To bring back additional Indians, the IAF's first C130J heavy-lift transport aircraft made its landing at Port Sudan hours later. An other C130J evacuated after it.
To ease the evacuation of Indians from Sudan, India has set up a control room in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.
V. Muraleedharan, minister of state for external affairs, reached Jeddah to supervise the evacuation effort.
The Sudanese army and a paramilitary group have been engaged in deadly combat for the past 12 days; it is estimated that 400 people have died in total.
As a 72-hour cease-fire was reached after protracted negotiations between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), India intensified its attempts to remove the Indians from Sudan.
The MEA and the Indian embassy in Sudan have regular contact with the U.N., Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and the U.S. in addition to the Sudanese government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave instructions for the creation of backup plans to remove Indians from Sudan during a high-level meeting on Friday of last week.
Sudan: 56 Andhra Diasporas stranded, efforts on bringing them back
Operation Kaveri: India evacuates 278 people from conflict-hit Sudan
