BANGALORE: Siddaramaiah, a senior member of the Congress, on Tuesday (April 18) urged that the Centre take action to rescue 31 members of the state's Hakki-Pikki tribe who are trapped in war-torn Sudan.

Manoj Rajan, the commissioner of the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, said, "We have received a word that a group of 31 persons from Karnataka are stranded in Sudan. The official explained that the group has been directed by his department to adhere to the directions of the Indian embassy in Sudan. "As of now, stranded persons should remain inside and not leave.The Ministry of External Affairs has been informed of the situation and is investigating it, he said. The Congress stalwart pleaded with the Indian government in a series of tweets to step in and help the trapped citizens return to India.

It is reported that 31 members of the Hakki Pikki clan from Karnataka are stranded in the war-torn Sudan. Siddaramaiah wrote, "I implore @PMOIndia @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to swiftly intercede & secure their safe return. He said that the administration has not yet taken any steps to bring back the Hakki Pikkis who have been abandoned without food for a few days in Sudan.

In order to protect the Hakki-Pikkis, Siddaramaiah urged the BJP-led government at the Centre to launch diplomatic negotiations right away and get in touch with international organisations.

It is also unfortunate to lealrn that we have lost one Indian an  sixty others in the ongoing civil war in Sudan. My deepest condolences to their families and pray for peace in the region," Siddaramaiah said.

Since the battle started, at least 185 people have died and more than 1,800 have been injured. Millions of people were confined to their homes or wherever they could find cover as a result of the sudden outbreak of fighting over the weekend between the two senior generals of the country, both supported by tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters. Supplies were running low, and numerous hospitals were forced to close.

The 2 sides are using tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons in densely populated areas. Fighter jets swooped overhead and anti-aircraft fire lit up the skies as darkness fell.

Malayali killed in Sudan clashes, Details inside

Malayali killed in Sudan clashes, Details inside