Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Writes to MEA for Safe Repatriation of Four Youths from Ethiopia

July 15, 2026

Chandigarh: Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu has written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeking immediate intervention to ensure the safe return of four youths from Punjab and Haryana who are stranded in Ethiopia. The four had travelled to the African nation on tourist visas but were later detained by Ethiopian immigration authorities after reportedly escaping from the clutches of kidnappers.

According to Sandhu, the families of the four youths are under severe mental stress and have expressed deep concern over their safety. He urged the MEA to take swift diplomatic action to bring them back to India at the earliest.

Families await safe return as MP assures full support

The four youths have been identified as Gorav from Phagwara in Kapurthala district, Manjit Singh from Rahimabad in Gurdaspur district, and Sukhwinder Singh Kakrala and Surjit Singh Cheeka, both residents of Kaithal in Haryana.

Sandhu said he is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia and other concerned authorities to facilitate their safe repatriation. He also assured the families that every possible effort is being made to secure their return.

MP alleges youths were kidnapped, assaulted and robbed

Sharing details of the incident, Sandhu claimed that the youths were allegedly lured by kidnappers after leaving the airport on the pretext of being taken to a hotel. He alleged that one of the kidnappers spoke Punjabi and identified himself as a Pakistani national.

The MP further claimed that the youths were taken to another location where they were assaulted with sharp weapons and robbed of their money and belongings. He said photographs and videos received by him showed serious injuries on the victims, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing” and “a matter of grave concern.”

Calls for caution while travelling abroad

Sandhu appealed to young people to exercise caution before travelling overseas and avoid taking unnecessary risks. He said similar cases involving Indians stranded abroad had been resolved in the past through timely intervention and expressed confidence that the four youths would also return home safely.

The MP also stressed the need to create better employment opportunities in Punjab, saying that young people should not feel compelled to migrate abroad by taking dangerous routes or falling victim to criminal networks.