One more Nepali dies in Russia-Ukraine war

Kathmandu, Dec. 20

Kundan Singh Nagal, a Nepali citizen working in the Russian Army, has died in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement on Wednesday that it received information about the tragic death of Nagal. With this, the number Nepalis deceased in the war has reached six.

The MoFA has urged Russia through its Ambassador in Nepal to send the bodies of the Nepali citizens who died after enlisting in the Russian army to Nepal as soon as possible and to provide compensation to the families of the victims including the injured.

Similarly, it has reiterated its request to the Russian government that Nepali citizens should not be recruited in the Russian Army and that the enlisted Nepali citizens should be immediately repatriated to Nepal.

"We have firmly asked the Russian government to provide the number of Nepali citizens who have joined the Russian Army, the number of injured Nepalis and their condition at the earliest," read the statement.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has requested the Ukrainian government through diplomatic channels to release the Nepalis detained there and send them back to Nepal as soon as possible. Bibek Khatri of Rajapur in Bardiya, Siddartha Dhakal of Mandan Deupur in Kavrepalanchwok, Bikas Rai of Letang in Morang and Pratik Pun of Runtigadhi in Rolpa are in captivity in Ukraine.

Stating that serious attention of the Government of Nepal has been drawn to the detainment of Nepalis in Ukraine, the MoFA informed that diplomatic initiatives are being taken by other means including the International Committee of the Red Cross for their release and return to Nepal.

"Ordinary citizens, except for those involved in government work, scholarships of the Russian government and those involved in professional business, can travel to Russia only with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Consular Service Department under the MoFA," said the Ministry.

It also appealed to everyone to travel to Russia only with an NOC issued by the Nepali Embassies and Consulates General in the respective countries even if they travel through Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

Earlier, the MoFA had warned Nepali citizens not to go to security-related work in war-torn countries.

Under the traditionally existing agreement, Nepali citizens are not allowed to join foreign armies other than the national armies of some friendly countries. The Ministry reiterated that there is no policy of the Government of Nepal to grant permission to its citizens to join the foreign armies.

 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 December 2023.