Youth from Andhra Pradesh brave Afghanistan and Iraq: Dollar and Dirham dreams

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Youth from Andhra Pradesh particularly Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Kadapa districts with Dollar an Dirham dreams are lading up in death traps in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Two youth from Nizamabad killed in Afghanistan were trained in Hotel management and left to Dubai and from there to Afghanistan in pursuit of better career. Most of them who failed to get Australia US and other western countries visas choose to go to Middle East from there to these dangerous zones.  The ever-present possibility of violent death does not terrify them.

COURTESY MAP: Washington post

As some of them work in decent jobs most of them are into menial jobs in military camps and their supplies companies. From Nizamabad Armoor, Jakranpally, Balconda, Velpoor and Bheemghal are the five mandals from which hundreds of youth are working in Afghanistan.

Mr M Bheemreddy of Migrants Rights Council ,”Indians most of them from AP are into  companies involved in supporting services for NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are paid salary of Rs 30,000 to Rs 50000 depending on the nature of the job. Many of the illiterate or semi literate are into construction works. Most appalling things is that many youth from AP are these war zones and recruited as security guards but they are trained in operating AK 47 and used as cover by NATO forces.  They are in the front line when the convoy moves,”

Mr. Bheem Reddy said most of them stay inside the military camp. “Only the camp is attacked they are also likely to be killed. Actually the camps are in high security zone so there is no risk as such but when they are attacked there are likelihood casualties,”

Apart from Nizamabad and Karimnagar the other districts from Kadapa and Adilabad and East and West Godavari districts. Most of them spend Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh to go to these area by paying agents.

An Armoor resident Bandi Raju who was released from Kandhahar jail in Afghanistan,” Indians are not given any body armory (protection gear) and there is likelihood of of being killed when there is attack. Usually those at the gate are killed as the suicide bombers open the jacket. Usually ten of them in group come and attack.,”

He added ,”more money is paid there. For construction work 700 dollars per month is paid. Most of Telugus are in MGT construction company and GRRL in Kandahar in road construction and Dyncorp international in supplies company,”

“Up to Dubai they go on visit visa. From there in Dubai airport they are take in Kandhaar, Kabul and Bagram,” said Bandi Raju.

Two AP youth killed in suicide attack in Afghanistan

Two AP youth from Nizamabad were killed in the suicide attack in Afghanistan on Tuesday and efforts are on to bring the bodies to the State. Out of three killed the other one is from West Bengal. Seven others are from other countries.

The trio was working in a firm Dyncorp international that provides supplies to NATO forces in Pul-e-Charkhi area in Kabul when the suicide bombers attacked it. The two victims from AP are identified as Gurudi Naveen Kumar 35 son of Murali a resident of Perkit in Armoor of Nizamabad district and other G Sandeep a resident of Velpoor in Nizamabad.

Naveen is survived by two brothers and parents.

Mr. Murali (father of Naveen) who runs a provisional store in Mamidipally says,”My son did his hotel management course n Bangalore and working in Hyderabad in a star hotel. Two years ago he went to Afghanistan for working a supplies company as manager. His friends who are also from Armoor working in Afghanistan called me and told that he died in the blast. Recently he came to the village in February for holidays and left again,”

Murali and Leela who lost their son in Afghanistan are inconsolable.  The company was providing food, bottle water, fuel and other supplies to NAT force and also involved in housekeeping of military storage buildings ad accommodation. 

M Bheemreddy Migrants rights council vice president said ,”the duo are working with Dyncorp international company,”

G Sandeep 25 son of G Ashok a native of Velpoor went to Afghanistan 16 months. His father Ashok died in an accident when he was a child. Ashok was married two years ago.

He went to Afghanistan leaving his wife five months after marriage.   Sandeep is survived by wife, mother, sister and brother. He studied up to intermediate and went to Afghanistan in search of greener pastures.

Ends..sudha..