The Union Government is sending two C-17 aircrafts to Juba on Thursday to airlift Indians stranded in South Sudan that has been severely impacted by violence due to fighting between two factions.
There are about 600 Indians living in South Sudan, out of which nearly 300 have registered with the Indian Embassy for evacuation. Gen (Retd) VK Singh, Minister of State in External Affairs Ministry, is leading the evacuation operation.
“The General takes charge again! 2 C-17s proceeding to Juba tomorrow with @Gen_VKSingh leading evac’n frm South Sudan,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted on Thursday. Apart from Singh, Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) will also travel to Juba.
The Indian Embassy in Juba issued advisories asking people to register for evacuation. “The Government of India has made arrangements to evacuate all Indian nationals from Juba by special aircraft on July 14, 2016. All Indian nationals are advised to get in touch with the Embassy of India in Juba immediately to avail this special facility on July 14, 2016 and obtain details of arrival and departure. Nationals should rest assured that additional flights will be pressed in service if required,” the advisory said.
According to official sources, of the 600 Indians living in the African country, about 450 are in Juba and 150 outside the capital.
The relief flight is expected to reach Juba around 11 am on Thursday. The Embassy has said only Indian nationals with valid Indian Travel Documents will be allowed boarding with only a cabin baggage up to 5kg. Women and children will be accommodated on priority. The C-17 relief flight is only up to New Delhi and those willing to travel further will have to make arrangements on their own.
More than 300 people have been reported killed, including several civilians and two Chinese peacekeepers in Juba due to firing between two factions -- SPlA-IO and SPlA soldiers. It is understood that the Indian peacekeepers of reserve INDBATT-2 was called out to protect the United Nations assets and camps for the displaced civilians after the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from PoC (Protection of civilians) site of adjoining UN House breached the perimeter fencing and fled for safety to various parts of UN House Compound in Juba.
India has 2,200 Indian soldiers present in S. Sudan under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, and there is one company in Juba. INDBATT - 2, which is presently Force Reserve Company at UN House to cater to any contingencies, was immediately called into action to contain the influx of IDPs in UN House, evict those who had broken into UN staff quarters and office building, react to SOS calls from UN staff, escort IDPs to designated safe areas and provide protection.
Sources said Indian soldiers reinforced the perimeter of UN House and physically prevented unauthorised armed persons from entering the IDP site and seized a number of machetes, knives and other weapons in the process. The troops also improved defences around the UN House to ensure better defences.