India will help Hindus and Sikhs who want to leave Afghanistan, says MEA

The Union Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that the Indian government will help members of the Hindu and Sikh communities from Afghanistan who want to come to India, reported PTI.

“We are in constant touch with the representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities,” ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. “We will facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan.”

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Sunday evening after making rapid advances through the country amid amid the withdrawal of foreign troops. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani left the country, reportedly for neighbouring Tajikistan.

The airspace over Afghanistan was closed on Monday afternoon after thousands fearful of Taliban rule desperately thronged the airport in an attempt to flee the war-torn country. At least five people were reportedly killed amid the chaos at the Kabul airport. Some videos showed horrifying images of at least two people who tried to escape Kabul by clinging to a plane fall after takeoff.

Watch: Kabul airport in disarray as Afghanistan residents struggle to escape Taliban

Caught on camera: People trying to escape Kabul by clinging to plane fall off after takeoff

Bagchi told reporters in Delhi that the suspension of commercial flights has paused India’s repatriation efforts, reported NDTV. “We are awaiting the resumption of flights to restart the process,” he…

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