Efforts on to bring back Naveen’s body from Ukraine: CM Bommai

The Chief Minister also said that he would participate in the Jaljeevan Mission Conference of Southern States to be chaired by the Union Water Resources Minister in Bengaluru before heading to Shikaripur to participate in the farmers’ convention later in the day

All efforts are on to bring the mortal remains of Karnataka student Naveen from Ukraine, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai (PTI)

Speaking to media persons he said, “many Kannadigas have been evacuated from Ukraine. Some of the students are stranded in the war zones of Kharkiv and Kyiv. Indian Embassy officials too are trying to reach out to them. The officials have assured about contacting them immediately when the war recedes. I spoke to the Union External Affairs minister and the Ukraine Embassy too yesterday.”

The Chief Minister also said that he would participate in the Jaljeevan Mission Conference of Southern States to be chaired by the Union Water Resources Minister in Bengaluru before heading to Shikaripur to participate in the farmers’ convention later in the day. “I will also visit Naveen’s residence in Ranebennur to console the family members. The government has decided to present a solatium for the family,” Bommai said.

Naveen, a fourth-year medical student at Kharkiv National Medical University, was killed on Tuesday when he stepped out of his apartment and went to a nearby supermarket to buy some provisions for himself and those bunked with him. He became the first Indian casualty in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Chief Minister’s statement comes after BJP MLA Arvind Bellad, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Hubli-Dharwad West constituency, said that as war is raging in the country, it has become difficult to bring back those alive while bringing back bodies is even more difficult.

“There is an effort from the government… There is a war going on there. Amidst that, an effort will be made, and if possible, the body will be returned. Bringing those alive is difficult, so bringing a dead body back would be even more difficult. More space is needed to bring a dead body on the flight. In the place required for a dead body, eight persons could be accommodated and brought back,” he had said.

The statement had led to a controversy with Naveen’s family and the Opposition attacking the government on the MLA’s statement.