Odisha youth kidnapped by armed rebels in Sudan recounts harrowing ordeal

After returning to India, Odia youth Adarsh Behera narrated on Friday a chilling account of his suffering during Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict. Adarsh, a native of Kotakana village in Jagatsinghpur district, shared his terrifying experiences after escaping from the clutches of an armed rebel group in the war-torn African nation.

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Adarsh had gone to Sudan in 2022 for employment, but the situation worsened when the civil war intensified, forcing the company he worked for to shut down. Amid the chaos, he was abducted by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an armed rebel group.

A video showing his captivity surfaced last month, triggering concern and swift action by authorities.

Following coordinated efforts by the Central government, Adarsh was rescued and returned to India on the 17th of the month. His family welcomed him with tearful relief at Bhubaneswar airport earlier in the day.

Recounting his ordeal, Adarsh said he spent days hiding in forests, surviving on biscuits with constant fear of guns and death. His story sheds light on the grave risks faced by Indians working in conflict zones abroad.

“I had never thought of this. I had gone there for just a year, but stayed there for around three years. At that time, I had big dreams. But all these happened to me when a civil war erupted there (in Sudan). I had become completely disconnected and could not be in touch with the embassy,” Adarsh said to OTV when contacted.

“I had left my family and gone abroad when my younger son was just 12 days old. I had the thought of their future and my parents' financial condition on my mind. But, I could not achieve success in my life. Those days were very painful. I had been severely beaten (by the rebels). I was profusely bleeding,” the man expressed with tears in his eyes.