The Afghan people are now desperate
The Indian government has released a new category of electronic visas to help Afghans seek refuge from the Taliban.
The US and its allies recently ended the almost two-decade-long war with the Taliban, which began with the aim to transform Afghanistan.
However, the Islamic movement quickly re-captured Afghanistan, and its citizens are fearing for their lives.
The Afghan people are now desperate to leave the country they call home.
The Indian government’s new ‘e-Emergency X-Misc Visa’ will fast-track applications for Afghans who wish to flee to India.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the release of the new e-visa on Twitter.
MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India.@HMOIndia @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) August 17, 2021
In a tweet from Tuesday, August 17, 2021, they said:
“MHA reviews provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan.
“A new category of electronic visa called ‘e-Emergency X-Misc Visa’ introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India.”
According to reports, India will “facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan”.
Reports also say that Hindus and Sikhs will be prioritised.
As well as this, India is reportedly taking every precaution possible to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Arindam Bagchi, an Official Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said that India has already evacuated its ambassador and the embassy staff in Kabul.
In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2021
On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, Bagchi tweeted:
“In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately.”
A special Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft transported the officials on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, along with over 100 other passengers.
It was one of several packed flights to leave Kabul airport following the Taliban’s invasion.
Thousands of Afghans have been storming the airport in order to try and flee the country.
Recently, 640 people packed into a US military cargo plane leaving Kabul on Sunday, August 15, 2021.
According to US defence officials, the C-17 Globemaster III safely carried the passengers from Kabul to Qatar.
Security news site Defense One said that the flight did not intend to take so many people.
However, many desperate Afghans managed to pull themselves onto the aircraft’s half-open ramp.
After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s borders, Kabul airport became the safest route out of the country.
Therefore, crowds of people filled the airport in order to seek refuge elsewhere.
Due to the chaos, US forces made the decision to shut down Kabul airport on Monday, August 16, 2021.
However, they reopened it on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, after bringing in US personnel to take charge of air traffic control.
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