Four Telangana men allegedly sent to Russia for jobs, made to work near warfront
Families of four men from Telangana have sought government help to bring them home, alleging they were recruited for jobs but later assigned military-related duties
Four men from Telangana’s Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts allegedly went to Russia for jobs but ended up doing military-related work near the warfront, their families have told the state government.
The families of Bhukya Ravinder, Sirushu Ashok, Megavath Prakash and Mohammed Afzal Khan approached the ‘CM Prajavani’ grievance programme, seeking Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s help in bringing the men back home.
Families seek help to bring men home
Mandha Bheem Reddy, Vice Chairman of the Telangana Government’s NRI Advisory Committee, received their representation on September 30. He said it had been forwarded to senior officials so the matter could be taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs.
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According to the families, the four travelled to Russia after agents promised them jobs. They initially found work cutting grass and doing gardening. But although they worked for nearly five months, they were paid for only about two months, the families said.
Jobs allegedly shifted to military work
After those jobs ended, agents allegedly convinced the men to take up work linked to the Russian military. They were promised Russian citizenship and financial benefits, according to the representation.
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The families said the men were later made to carry bombs and carry out duties near the frontline. They further alleged that the four faced physical harassment and suffered injuries.
Contact with their families gradually became difficult. The men later told their relatives that they had crossed into Ukraine.
Families appeal to Centre, Russia
Their families have now sought help from the Centre, the Indian Embassy in Moscow and Russian authorities to trace the men, secure their release and bring them back to Telangana. They have also asked for action against the agents and a check on the money collected from the four men.
The appeal came on the same day the Ministry of External Affairs warned Indians against joining the Russian armed forces.
MEA warns Indians over Russian army jobs
The MEA said it had “come across numerous instances wherein individuals are willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces with an understanding that they would be able to avail concomitant monetary benefits, and later secure release by approaching the Indian government”.
The ministry described this as “a dangerous path” and said it was “strongly discouraged by the government”.
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The MEA said it remains in contact with Russia over the safety and early discharge of Indian nationals serving with its armed forces. It also advised Indians to “exercise due diligence” before accepting overseas job offers from agents who are not registered with the MEA.
The ministry said some Indians have been recruited through non-public entities, including voluntary groups, and urged people to stay away from overseas jobs that carry such risks.
What MEA advisories said
The MEA issued two advisories this year, warning citizens not to travel to Russia. The problem of Indian citizens going to Russia and later appealing to the government to get them back home has persisted for the last two years.
``Besides warning our citizens, we can do little else. India is a free country, and we cannot physically stop those determined to travel. But we keep warning people not to travel to Russia at this time,’’ J.S.Randhir Jaiswal said. The latest advisory was issued on September 30.
(With agency inputs)