Sign in

Calling PM Modi, CM Bommai 'anti-Kannadiga', Cong's Surjewala claims Centre not rescuing stranded tribals in Sudan

Randeep Surjewala claimed the BJP government at the Centre has made no effort to rescue 31 tribals from Karnataka who are stuck as violence rages in Sudan.

Published on: Apr 18, 2023, 12:02:11 IST
ANIPosted by
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Congress national spokesperson and the party's in-charge for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls, Randeep Surjewala, on Tuesday claimed the BJP government at the Centre has made no effort to rescue 31 tribals from Karnataka who are stuck as violence rages in Sudan.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala labelled Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as 'Anti-Kannadiga'. (PTI Photo)
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala labelled Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as 'Anti-Kannadiga'. (PTI Photo)

Labelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as "Anti-Kannadiga" in a no-holds-barred attack on the ruling party ahead of the May 10 polls, Surjewala put out a tweet stating, "31 Kannadigas of Hakki Pikki Tribe have been left stranded in the civil war in Sudan. The Anti-Kannadiga Modi Govt has left them to their fate, instead of evacuating and ensuring their safe return. Where are Mr. Prahlad Joshi and Shobha Karandje and BJP M.P's? SHAME ON U MR. BOMMAI!"

READ | US diplomatic convoy fired on in Sudan amid power struggles, says Blinken

No official statement has yet been released by the Ministry of External Affairs on the Congress leader's claim.

At least 180 civilians have been killed while more than 1,800 civilians and combatants injured in fighting between Sudan's military and the country's main paramilitary force, according to the United Nations envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, The New York Times reported.

According to NYT, the fighting has left many of the five million residents of the capital, Khartoum, stranded at home without electricity or water as they marked the last few days of Ramzan, the Muslim holy month when many fast daily from dawn until dusk.

Overwhelmed medical facilities have been targeted, including a major medical centre northeast of Khartoum that was shelled, evacuated and shut down. More than a dozen hospitals have shuttered, according to NYT.

READ | EU ambassador to Sudan ‘attacked’ amid violence; death toll rises to 200 | Top updates

The Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday set up a Control Room to provide information and assistance to Indians.

The Ministry of External Affairs, taking cognizance of the ongoing clashes in the African country, on Monday set up a Control Room to provide information and assistance.

"In view of the current situation in Sudan, a Control Room has been set up at the Ministry of External Affairs to provide information and assistance," read the MEA press release.

The ministry further shared the Coordinates of the Control Room, email and phone numbers for information on Indians stuck in Sudan.

"Phone: 1800 11 8797 (Toll free) 91-11-23012113; 91-11-23014104; 91-11-23017905; Mobile: 91 9968291988 and Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in," shared the release.

  • Yamini C S
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Yamini C S

    Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.