File photo of Yannick Nihangaza
Yannick Nihangaza, the Burundi student who is lying comatose for more than two years in a Patiala nursing home after a brutal attack, can finally go home.
The Punjab government has agreed to bear the cost of Rs 75 lakh to arrange for an air ambulance which will carry Yannick back to his home in Africa.
"The government has transferred the money to Patiala administration. The date is not final yet, but Yannick will be sent to his home country in the next few days as per advice of doctors. We are making all possible arrangements as per the instructions of the government of Punjab," said Varun Roojam, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala.
Punjab government's help after Yannick's father wrote to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and he intervened. "It's a risk but we are left with no other option... there is no improvement in his condition in last two years. At least he will be home... the government is providing us air ambulance to transport my son," said Yannick's father Nestor Ntibateganya.
Yannick's departure, however, may get delayed as the Punjab government has so far released only Rs 5 lakh towards his medical expenses while his medical bill now stands at a whopping Rs 1.40 crore. The family is pinning its hope on Mr Badal who took personal interest to see Yannick got due compensation.
Yannick had arrived in India with the dream of becoming a computer engineer and enrolled at a private university in Jalandhar. He was going to a party on April 22, 2012 when he was attacked.
While the attackers had managed to flee, Yannick was admitted to a private hospital in Patiala where he remains on life support.
Out of the nine people who attacked Yannick, seven have been arrested and sentenced to 10 years in jail. The remaining two reportedly fled to Australia.