- Saturday, March 01, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
While clashes in Sudan between the country’s military and paramilitary forces continued unabated, it has been reported that 31 tribal people from the southern Indian state of Karnataka were left stranded in the north African nation where violence has claimed more than 180 lives and left nearly 2,000 injured.
The disaster management authority of Karnataka said that India’s ministry of foreign affairs (MEA) has been informed about the situation and urged the stranded people not to venture out and follow instructions issued by the Indian embassy in Khartoum where the violence has broken out, India Today reported.
It was learnt that the 31 people belong to the Hakki Pikki tribe, a semi-nomadic tribal group who have been left with inadequate supplies since the outbreak of the clashes on Saturday (15).
“We have got a message that a group of 31 persons hailing from Karnataka are stranded in Sudan. We have informed MEA of this. We have asked the group to follow the instructions of the Indian embassy in Sudan. As of now, the stranded should stay wherever they are and not venture out. MEA is seized of the matter and is working on it,” Dr Manoj Rajan, commissioner, Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, was quoted as saying by India Today.
The opposition Indian National Congress slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments both in New Delhi and Karnataka over the matter and called them “anti-Kannadiga”. They also said that no steps were being taken to rescue the tribals in Sudan and they were “to their fate”.
Karnataka is headed for elections on May 10.
“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 & ensuring their safe return. Where are Mr. Prahlad Joshi & Shobha Karandlaje & BJP MP’s? Shame on you Mr Bommai,” Surjewala said in a tweet.
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 & ensuring their safe return.
Where are Mr. Prahlad Joshi & Shobha Karandje & BJP M.P’s?
SHAME ON U MR. BOMMAI! pic.twitter.com/1HW94lBTDD
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 18, 2023
Former chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah urged prime minister Narendra Modi and state chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to intervene immediately to ensure that the tribals return to their country safely.
“It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to Hakki Pikki tribe, are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war. I urge @PMOIndia, @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to immediately intervene & ensure their safe return,” Siddaramaiah tweeted tagging the prime minister, his office, home ministry, MEA and Bommai.
It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to Hakki Pikki tribe, are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war.
I urge @PMOIndia @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to immediately intervene & ensure their safe return.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 18, 2023
An Indian national named Albert Augestine from the southern state of Kerala was killed after getting hit by a stray bullet during the clashes on Saturday. The Indian embassy in Sudan confirmed the news on Sunday (16).
Press Release
It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries.
Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.
— India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 16, 2023
Violence continued for the third day in the African nation with explosions and clashes reported from Khartoum and other areas in the backdrop of escalating tension between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group.
