By Merina Sharma
Siliguri, Sept. 21: For Urgen Tamang’s family, the joyous festival of Dashain arrived three weeks in advance as the 47-year-old army veteran from Kalimpong reached the Bagdogra Airport on Saturday after a long journey from Moscow in Russia where he had been forcibly enlisted in the country’s army to fight the still-raging Ukraine war.
Tamang, a resident of Chibo Busty under Ward No 19 of the Kalimpong municipality, had been fraudulently recruited in the Russian army after he was hired by a private placement agency in January this year on the promise of providing a lucrative job in Russia. However, on reaching Russia, he and some others like him were handed over to the Russian Army, which subsequently enlisted them to fight in the Ukraine war.
On his arrival in Bagdogra, an emotional Tamang, who was received by his wife, Ambika, and two children, among many others, said he had approached the placement agency for a job in Russia because of monetary consideration, but had no inkling he would be forced to fight in Russia’s war with Ukraine that has now entered the third year. “We were told ours was helper duty and the money was also very good. We were in need of money,” he said, explaining why he chose to go to Russia.
The Indian army veteran thanked the Central government and, particularly, Ravi Pradhan, the chairman of the board of administration of Kalimpong municipality, for ensuring his safe return home after months of living in constant fear of death in the foreign war zone. “It (the Ukraine experience) was something that I could have never imagined. It cannot be described. I can’t believe today I am standing here, it seems like a dream,” he said, flanked by his family and the Kalimpong civic body chief.
Tamang said they had to endure constant bombardments and firings at the war theatre. “It was a war, and to even eat, drink or sleep was difficult. Bombardments and firings used to take place frequently, and one had to somehow keep oneself safe in that situation,” he added. Tamang later left for Kalimpong accompanied by his family and Pradhan.
Pradhan, who had constantly been in touch with Tamang ever since his Ukraine ordeal had come to light in end-March, said many people were involved in ensuring Tamang’s safe return, including prime minister Narendra Modi. “During one of my conversations with him (Tamang), I had assured him he would be back home in time to celebrate Dashain with his family. This has come true, and we are all very happy he will get to celebrate Dashain in his own place,” he said.
According to some estimate, Tamang was among 91 other Indian job seekers who were duped into fighting for Russia. Nine or ten out of them are believed to have died in the war, some have returned, but many others are still stuck in Ukraine and Russia.
