Kundapur: Firing by French troops - Survivor Udaya recalls ordeal
Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Apr 2: On the fateful day of March 26, several Indians were the target of French troops in Central African Republic, who mistook them for terrorists and opened fire. Among them, two, including Krishnaiah Mogaveera from Hemmady here, perished, while the six others sustained injuries.
Among the six who lived to tell the tale is Haklady's Kolamage Udaya.
On Monday April 1, Udaya accompanied the body of Krishnaiah Mogaveera to the latter's hometown Hemmady. He was the centre of all attention as he narrated the incident in Central African Republic that took life of his comrades.
"On March 23, we went to Bangui Airport to catch a flight back home (to India). When we went to the ticket counter, the local military men who were patrolling the area told us that no airplanes were available as the situation had turned tense, and asked us to return. We did as we were told.
"We then tried to contact the Indian consular incharge, but in vain. We got in touch with him through phone and then stayed at consulate for a day. Our own house was attacked by the troops. We had no way out and were helpless. Ultimately, with assistance from a military officer, we managed to escape somehow.
"Next day, after making sure that there was a plane departing, we made our way to the airport with the help of the same officer. Altogether, 15 Indians left for the airport in two vehicles. When we were about 800 metres away, French troops mistook us for rebels and opened fire at us. Two of the Indians died while six including I sustained injuries. We were taken to the hospital in the same vehicle that we had come in. Another man, orginally from Nepal, died later due to lack of medical attention.
"While the attack took place at around 8 am, by the time we were received medical help it was evening. There are still a few who are in a serious condition, while others are recuperating.
"On Friday evening we left with the bodies by chartered flight from South Africa and landed in Delhi. Today we reached our hometown," said Udaya, who is yet to come to terms with the death of his friend Krishnaiah.