Argus News - Odia Man, Trapped in Sudan, Shares Painful Ordeal after Reaching Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Dec 17: An Odia man who had been trapped in conflict‑torn Sudan has finally returned home, bringing immense relief to his family and the state administration.

Adarsh Behera, who was abducted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebel group in Sudan, arrived safely in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. After landing, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for their efforts in securing his release.

Adarsh had travelled from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad late Tuesday night before flying to Bhubaneswar. His emotional reunion with his family at the airport moved everyone present, as his parents broke down upon seeing him safe after weeks of uncertainty.

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According to information shared by Adarsh, he was kidnapped by RSF militants while visiting the plastic company where he had been employed since 2022 in Al‑Fashir, located in Sudan’s Darfur region. As the civil war intensified, the company shut down, leaving him stranded.

Last month, a video emerged showing Adarsh pleading for help, stating that he was unable to escape the conflict zone.

A few days later, RSF members abducted him, beat him severely, and kept him in a forest for two to three days before shifting him to a makeshift jail. A video sent to his family showed him being held in a jungle, which triggered panic and fear back home.

Once the matter reached the Odisha government through media reports, the state immediately contacted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The Odisha Chief Minister instructed senior officials to coordinate with the Centre to ensure Adarsh’s safe return.

Following these directives, the Director General of Intelligence wrote to the MEA requesting urgent intervention. Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhuti Bhusan Tarai also raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, urging swift action.

The central government subsequently initiated diplomatic and operational measures to secure Adarsh’s release. His safe return marks the successful culmination of a coordinated effort between the state and central governments, bringing an end to a harrowing ordeal for the young Odia worker and his family.