Bhucho youth back with terror tales from Libya
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bhucho Kalan, March 1
Sukhmander Singh (32) of this village shivers to recall the harrowing experience he underwent in Libya. He is among the first 500 Indians who returned on February 27 in flights charted by the Indian government to evacuate its citizens from Libya. 
Sukhmander, who had left for Libya in August 2009, said he along with his colleagues was in his room when the news about a revolt against the decades-long rule of Muammar Gaddafi flashed on television. “Initially, we took it lightly but in the morning, the scene at the capital city Tripoli was disturbing. A number of people lost their lives in the riots,” he recalled. “Officials of the company in which we worked as daily wagers cautioned us not to go out of the company camp. Sensing the tense situation, we bought grocery stock for almost one month and confined ourselves to the camp as the Army had shoot-at-sight orders,” he said.
“Thank God! Our cell phones kept working. Cellular service providers there kept recharging our accounts with 10-20 Dinars everyday. They apparently did so as they knew that we could be making calls to seek help from the Indian Embassy,” said Sukhmander.
“Loot and killings were rampant there. Not only the miscreants but the police and the Army also harassed those leaving Libya,” he alleged and added, “before we boarded the plane for India, the Army snatched our mobile phones, laptops and currency notes. Till the flight took off, we were not sure if we would reach home.” Recalling a bloody scene, Sukhmander said, “While going to the Indian Embassy for receiving a document to return to India, we saw three persons being shot dead without any reason.”
“Thousands of Indians are still stranded there. As there was a heavy rush of people willing to leave Libya, the airport was jam-packed. Though we were among the first who thronged the airport, it took us one full day and night to get air tickets,” he said.
Asked if he would go back if situation in Libya turns normal, Sukhmander refused with folded hands. He said, “Even in normal days, there are groups who loot and dupe immigrants.”