Jain Kurian, a native of Thrissur, who is undergoing treatment in a Russian hospital after being injured in a drone attack in the war with Ukraine. Photo: Special Arrangement
Though the ‘irregular’ migration from Kerala to Russia has sparked concerns in the past, recent developments revealed that Punjab is leading in the table in both illegal and irregular migration. According to the data available with the Ministry of External Affairs, the highest number of Indians who migrated to Russia — to fight in the war with Ukraine — were from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The data tabled in the parliament says that out of the 127 Indians who joined Russian armed forces to fight against the Ukraine forces, 29 were from Punjab followed by Haryana (16), Uttar Pradesh (15), and Kerala (11). In the latest development, most of the deportees sent back to India by the US were from three north Indian States namely Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat with Punjab leading in the table with 38 percent of the total 332 undocumented Indian immigrants brought back, followed by Haryana (33%) and Gujarat (22%).
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Out of the 127 Indians who joined the Russian armed forces, 97 were discontinued from the service and brought back. At the same time, 18 Indian nationals remain in the Russian armed forces, out of which 16 individuals have been reported as missing by the Russian side. A total of 12 Indians were killed, out of which the mortal remains of seven were brought back, while two were cremated in Russia. The process to bring back the mortal remains of a Thrissur native who was killed in a drone attack in Russia is underway, while another Thrissur native, Jain Kurian, is undergoing treatment in a Russian hospital after being injured in a drone attack.
Since Kerala has a long history of migration, informed migration is taking place here, said Ajith Kolassery, chief executive officer of NoRKA-Roots. The migration of Keralites to Russia, though it being ‘irregular’, it was legal considering the nature of migration. However, the undocumented migration from north Indian States can be termed as illegal migration, he said.
Binu Panicker, president, All Moscow Malayalees Association, an outfit that has been working for the welfare of Keralites in Russia since 1998, said close to 100 Keralites landed in Russia mainly on student visas in the last few months. Though their main aim of the migration was in search of employment, the migration route is still legal, said Mr. Panicker, adding that the association office-bearers had even found two Haryana natives who had discontinued the armed forces service in Russia and repatriated to India, returning to Russia again to join the army.
Published – February 18, 2025 08:44 pm IST