Karnataka student killed in Ukraine: Father accuses Indian Embassy of not reaching out to stranded Indians

Bengaluru, Mar 1: The father of the student killed in shelling in Ukraine accused the Indian Embassy of not reaching out to stranded Indian students in Kharkiv. Naveen Shekargouda from the Haveri district in Karnataka was killed when he stepped out of his bunker to exchange currency and fetch some food, his uncle Ujjanagouda claimed.

Following the news of his death, Shekaragouda's residence in Chalageri slipped into gloom, with a large number of people thronging the house to console the bereaved family. Shekaragouda complained that no one from the Indian embassy reached the students stuck in Kharkiv, which is witnessing hostilities. His family members said Naveen was in the fourth year of his course in the Kharkiv medical college.

Ujjanagouda said Naveen along with others from Karnataka was stuck in a bunker in Kharkiv. He had gone out in the morning to exchange currency and to fetch some food when he was caught shelling happened, in which he was killed instantaneously. On Tuesday when he rang up his father, Naveen said there was no food and water in the bunker, Ujjanagouda stated. Learning about the tragedy, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called up Shekaragouda over phone and expressed his sorrow.

Bommai assured Shekaragouda he would make every effort to bring back his son's body to India. He also told him that he is touch with the officials in the external affairs ministry. The bereaved father told Bommai that Naveen had called him in the morning as well. Daily the son used to ring him up at least two to three times, he told the Chief Minister.

"Shocked on death of Naveen Gyanagoudar, student from Karnataka, in bomb shelling in Ukraine. My deep condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace. We are constantly in touch with MEA and will make all efforts to bring back his mortal remains," he tweeted.