KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 20
One more Nepali working in the Russian Army has died. The deceased has been identified as Kundan Nagal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Russia has been requested, once again through the Russian Ambassador to Nepal, to repatriate the bodies of the deceased Nepalis who joined the Russian Army and to provide compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured.
In a press release issued today, Russia has been asked again not to recruit Nepali citizens into the military and to send back those Nepalis who are already in the army. Similarly, immediate information is sought from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian army, the injured ones, and their condition.
The Foreign Ministry has also urged all Nepalis to obtain no objection certificates (NOC) even from Nepali Embassies and General Consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via these countries.
Earlier, the NOC was issued only from the Consular Service Department under the Foreign Ministry for those going to Russia.
Meanwhile, the government has expressed serious concern over four Nepalis being held captive in Ukraine. The government has requested the Ukrainian government, through diplomatic channels, to release and return the captives, according to the Foreign Ministry. Efforts are underway for the release and return of the Nepalis held captive via the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Those held captive by Ukraine are Bibek Khatri from Rajapur-1, Bardiya; Siddhartha Dhakal from Mandandeupur-6, Kavrepalanchok; Bikas Rai from Letang-2, Morang; and Pratik Pun from Runtigadhi-8, Rolpa. Utmost efforts are underway for their release, the Foreign Ministry has said."
