'Centre, Indian mission helped us', Says Sudan Survivor

KOTTAYAM: Shyam thampi, 26, has survived to tell his tale, literally speaking. And a relieved Shyam, who was reunited with his folks at Thiruvarp here, after managing to flee the bloody internal strife in South Sudan, said he could not be anymore thankful to the Centre and the state government for ensuring his safe passage back home.

“But for the intervention by the governments( Centre and state) and Indian Embassy in Juba, our return(Indian expats) would not have been possible,” he said.

Even though, Shyam’s parents have only the faintest idea of the bloodshed taking place in the NorthEast African nation, they are mighty relieved and indeed happy that their son has got back unharmed. Until now, the youngster has shared the terrible memories of his ordeal in Juba, capital of South Sudan, only with his elder brother Sarath.

Things had been proceeding rather smoothly for Shyam, who was employed as a manager in a construction company in Juba until July 8, when the rebel offensive reached the capital. Until then, the rebel campaign had been limited to Jabel and Gudale.

“July 9 was independence day in South Sudan. Although the government had cancelled the independence day celebrations, the rebels, who entered the capital city, celebrated their success in breaching the government defences by opening fire indiscriminately.”

“ A few of my friends and myself were taking mobile videos of the gunfire, which occurred at a distance. Our security guard came rushing and told us to move to safety. We lay down in the trench for several hours till we the sound of gunfire ebbed.

‘‘However, when we went to check on the security guard, his body was found lying there with a bullet wound to the chest,” Shyam said in a choked voice.

Shyam was among the group of South Indians, who had reached Thiruvananthapuram from Juba the other day.