Kundapur : Two Indians including a man from Kundapur, and another person from Lucknow were killed in a firing by French troops outside the Bangui Airport area on March 25, Monday. The man from Kundapur who lost his life in this firing mistaking them for terrorists, has been identified as Krishnaiah Mogaveera(37), an employee in a pharmaceutical company. He hailed from Hemmady in Kundapur and worked in Africa since seven years. The other man killed is Karna Bahadur from Lucknow.
The incident took place when they were apparently trying to leave Central Africa that plunged into chaos following a coup two days back.
France has conveyed its regret to India and promised a probe into the incident. France claimed that the tragic incident had taken place as its soldiers had mistaken the vehicles carrying Indian and Chadian nationals as those of the gunmen loyal to rebel leader Michel Djotodia, who has proclaimed himself as the new President of the Central African Republic, after dethroning Francois Bozize in a coup last Sunday. Six Indians and a few other Chadians were injured in the incident.
Reports said Krishnaiah and others were unaware of the shoot at sight orders issued in view of the terrorist activities in the nation. It is said Krishnaiah believed that a ceasefire had been declared. Krishnaiah’s hometown is in a shock following the tragedy.
French President Francois Hollande wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express regret for the tragic incident and promised to order an investigation into it.
Central African Republic ceased to be a French colony in 1960. France, however, continued to have its soldiers in the country to protect its interests. The French government last Saturday sent additional troops to protect the airport in Banqui, after reports indicated that the rebels led by Djotodia were preparing to stage a coup to overthrow Bozize.
The deceased Mogaveera and Bahadur were among about 100 Indians living in Central African Republic
