An Odia man who was trapped in Sudan’s civil war and later abducted by armed groups has safely returned to India after nearly a month, bringing relief to his family and community in Odisha.
Adarsh Behera, a resident of Kotakana village in Jagatsinghpur district, reached Bhubaneswar on Wednesday following his release and evacuation through coordinated diplomatic and government efforts. He is now set to return to his native village.
Journey Back to India
According to officials, Behera travelled from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad late Tuesday night and then proceeded to Bhubaneswar on Wednesday morning. His safe arrival marks the end of weeks of uncertainty after he went missing in Sudan’s conflict-hit Darfur region.
Abduction Amid Sudan Conflict
Behera had been working since 2022 at a plastic manufacturing company in Al Fashir, Darfur, where operations were suspended as fighting escalated. Stranded due to worsening security conditions, he had earlier sent a video appeal seeking evacuation.
Last month, while visiting his workplace, Behera was reportedly abducted by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Subsequent videos shared with his family showed him being held in a remote, forested location, intensifying concerns back home.
Ordeal in Captivity
Speaking after his return, Behera recounted the hardship he endured during captivity.
“They beat me mercilessly when they first captured me. They suspected I was part of the army,” he said.
He added that once it was established that he was a civilian, he was shifted to a cell with no basic amenities.
“There were no lights or fans. Sometimes I was given bread, sometimes just one biscuit,” he said, expressing gratitude to authorities for ensuring his safe release.
Government and Diplomatic Intervention
The matter was raised in Parliament by Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, following which diplomatic efforts were intensified. Indian authorities coordinated closely with relevant agencies and international partners to facilitate Behera’s release and evacuation.
Behera’s wife, Sasmita Behera, said officials remained in constant touch throughout the ordeal.
“I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Odisha Chief Minister, and the Indian Embassy. They kept assuring me that my husband would return home safely,” she said.
Safe Return to Odisha
Sources confirmed that Adarsh Behera has now safely returned to Odisha and will reunite with his family in Jagatsinghpur district, ending a traumatic chapter marked by conflict, captivity, and uncertainty.
