65 Telugus from Sudan repatriated to AP

Vijayawada: Sixty-five of the 71 persons from Andhra Pradesh who got stuck in the civil war in Sudan have been repatriated to India so far and the remaining six too would reach their homes soon.

Announcing this, APNRTS president Venkat Medapati said in a statement here on Monday that Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy intervened to ensure the safe return of these distressed Telugus. They are being received at various international airports and being brought to their homes by AP Bhavan officials in Delhi and by APNRTS and designated district administration officials, he said.

Of the remaining six members, one reached Jeddah, another in Port of Sudan while four more were to reach Port of Sudan shortly to proceed to India with help from the Union ministry of external affairs.

Of the total 71 members, 58 registered for repatriation. Among them, 52 have reached India so far. One member was quarantined in Delhi and four in Kochi due to lack of yellow fever vaccination certificate while the remaining 47 members reached their homes in AP safely.

The APNRTS president said that the AP government was providing local flight, ground transportation and other logistical support to 24 distressed Telugus from AP coming from Sudan so far. The AP Bhavan officials were providing local transportation to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati by airways and roadways, while designated district officials were providing local transportation to them.

Meanwhile, those who returned safely from Sudan thanked Prime Minister Modi for initiating ‘Operation Kaveri’ and also CM Jagan Mohan Reddy for his timely help.