Embassy Didn't Reach Out To Students Stuck In Kharkiv: Father Of Karnataka Boy Killed In Shelling

Russia Ukraine Crisis: Naveen had gone out in the morning to exchange currency and to bring some food when he was found shelling occurred, in which he was killed.

Damaged Kharkiv governor's office and a wrecked vehicle after missile attack (getty photo)

New Delhi: The father of the Karnataka boy who died in shelling in Ukraine said that no one from the Indian Embassy reached out to Indian students stuck in Kharkiv, PTI reported.

Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a native of Chalageri in Karnataka's Haveri district, was killed when he stepped out of his bunker to exchange currency and fetch some food, his uncle Ujjanagouda claimed.

Naveen's father alleged that nobody from the Indian consulate arrived at the students trapped in Kharkiv, which is witnessing hostilities. His relatives said Naveen was in the fourth year of his course in the Kharkiv medical college.

Ujjanagouda said Naveen alongside others from Karnataka was caught in a bunker in Kharkiv. He had gone out in the morning to exchange currency and to bring some food when he was found shelling occurred, in which he was killed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the father of Naveen Shekharappa as quoted by news agency ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the father of Naveen Shekharappa, an Indian student who died in shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine this morning.

(File pic) pic.twitter.com/OEXXs7XjiD

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2022

According to Ujjanagouda, when Naveen rang up his father on Tuesday, he told him there was no food and water in the bunker.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also called up Shekaragouda over the phone and communicated his distress.

Bommai guaranteed Shekaragouda he would make every effort to bring back his child's body to India. He additionally let him know that he is in contact with the authorities in the external affairs ministry.

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.

— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) March 1, 2022

Naveen's father told Bommai that Naveen had called him in the morning as well. Every day the child used to ring him up at least two to three times, he told the Chief Minister.

(With PTI inputs)