After the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, countries across the world felt an urgency to evacuate Afghanistan of its nationals. Mass of people anxiously trying to get to the airport is creating mayhem in the country.

Thousands of people look desperate to cross Taliban roadblocks to reach the airport. Although the Taliban asked the crowd to return to their homes, they will not harm anyone, but how can it be believed after the killing of protestors and civilians.

The Indian government has started an evacuation operation known as ‘Operation Devi Shakti’ following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Ministry of External Affairs had urged all Indian Nationals in Afghanistan to contact Special Afghanistan Cell for any assistance and moving out of the country. Until two days ago, around 228 Indian citizens have been evacuated, out of which 77 people were Afghan Sikhs.

According to the latest news reports, a 140-member group of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus complained that they have not been provided support from the rescuers. First, they were sent back to Gurudwara after gunfire from the Taliban, later, at the airport, they were sent from one counter to another and asked to send pictures of their families repeatedly.

People, who have taken shelter in Gurudwara or any place considered safe, are panicking as they might lose their lives in crossfire. So far, it has been estimated that India has evacuated 565 Indians, including 175 Embassy personnel, 262 others, 112 Afghan Hindus, Sikhs, and 15 third-country nationals.

The situation of people outside the airport waiting to be airlifted is pathetic. Most people do not have travel documents, still hope to get a chance of boarding a flight. They have been waiting for the last six/seven days outside the airport enduring all heat and dust. In these circumstances, how much rescue flights from other countries and operation Devi Shakti from India will work, is a question. 

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, an all-party meet has assured that evacuation of Indians from Afghanistan is the government’s priority. While other countries like the US and UK have evacuated almost 100,000 people from Afghanistan. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that its airlift operation will continue till the last moment.  

Despite the religious extremism of the Taliban, many ex-Afghan politicians believe that the situation arose due to the untimely escape of president Ashraf Ghani.

According to them, the Taliban proposed to take over the capital in a peaceful manner through negotiation; had he not escaped and negotiated with the Taliban peacefully, the situation would have been different. But the truth is, many Afghans who got educated and groomed under the US military regime, are scared of imagining old Taliban rule and want to come out from there.

The poorly planned exit of the US military has also contributed to the resurgence of the Taliban. People may have differences of opinions about what should have been done and what needs to be done but the major concern is the present situation of civilians in Afghanistan.  

If the Taliban want a peaceful settlement in the country and better rule, why people are dreading their lives and so desperate to leave the country?