February 3: The families of the Nepali recruits in the Russian Army have requested the government to take diplomatic initiative for the return of their loved ones. Organising a press conference in the capital on Friday, the family members demanded that the Nepalis enlisted in the Russian Army be rescued and brought back to the country safely.    

Speaking at the event, Tina Ghimire requested the government to create a safe environment for her husband Padam Ghimire to return home. He is reportedly out of contact since the past few months. A permanent resident of Udayapur, Ghimire is a retired Nepalese Army personnel and spent around Rs 900,000 to join the Russian Army, according to his family.    

Likewise, Sumi Chamling of Ilam requested the government to search for her brother Rajkumar Mukhiya who has been missing since joining the Russian Army. She also shared that Bikram Bhujel and Rajendra Tamang from her village had also joined the Russian Army and are out of contact at present.    

Chandani Bista of Bhaktapur said that her husband Bibhajan, brother-in-law Nirajan and grandson Lokendra are in contact but wanted them to be returned back to the country.    

On the occasion, Suman Rai, who returned home after joining the Russian Army, drew the attention of the government to rescue and repatriate the Nepali nationals who have been recruited in the Russian Army.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nepal citizens not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or temptation.

The ministry has repeatedly urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army.

The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition but to no avail. -- RSS