Veterans Appeal for Colleague’s Return from Qatar as Amir Visits India

In December 2023, Qatar’s Court of Appeal commuted the death sentences for eight Indian nationals, with two returning to India in February 2024. The remaining veteran, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, remains in Qatar, prompting his colleagues to appeal for his return as Qatar’s Amir visits India. The veterans highlight the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve Tiwari’s travel ban and reunite him with his family.

In December 2023, Qatar’s Court of Appeal reduced the death sentences for eight Indian nationals, converting them to prison terms lasting between three to 25 years. Of the seven naval veterans who faced capital punishment, two—Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht—successfully returned to India on February 11, 2024, following extensive diplomatic negotiations. Their fellow veteran, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, remains incarcerated in Qatar, prompting the others to seek intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to facilitate Tiwari’s return.

As Amir Al-Thani embarks on a two-day state visit to India, the veterans emphasized the need for an expedited resolution to Commander Tiwari’s travel ban, which has persisted for over a year. They expressed their hope that the high-level diplomatic discussions would lead to his imminent repatriation, allowing him to reunite with his family, particularly his elderly mother. The former naval personnel believe that Tiwari’s release should be prioritized in light of the longstanding relations between India and Qatar.

The eight veterans had been employed by Al Dahra Global Technologies, a private firm associated with Qatar’s military and security services, and were detained without specified charges since August 2022. Among the released personnel are individuals with distinguished military backgrounds, including Captain Gill, who received a President’s gold medal upon his graduation from naval training and later served as an instructor at the Defence Services Staff College.

Commander Tiwari was the first member of the Indian armed forces to be presented with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, a significant honor bestowed on non-resident Indians. Following his release, Mr. Gupta described the ordeal in Qatar, noting how harrowing the experience was, particularly during the initial months. He shared that through meditation and reading, he coped with the challenges he faced during his 531 days in captivity.

The plight of Commander Purnendu Tiwari remains a pressing issue, as two of his fellow naval veterans have called on Indian and Qatari leaders to advocate for his return. With a history of strong diplomatic ties between the countries, the veterans are hopeful for a swift resolution to Tiwari’s ongoing travel ban, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of his situation regarding family reunification.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com