Indian Embassy in Iran Provides Assistance to Stranded Fishermen Amid Regional Conflict
The Centre informed the Madras High Court on Thursday that the Indian Embassy in Iran is actively taking all necessary steps to provide assistance to Indian nationals stranded in the country. This statement came during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by L Ruth Baby Thason, a resident of Kadiyapattanam village in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.
Petitioner's Plea for Stranded Fishermen
The petitioner stated that her husband, Leo Babu, is currently working on a fishing vessel in Iran and is unable to return to India due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia. She highlighted that nearly 600 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, particularly from the districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin, are stranded in Iran.
These fishermen traveled to Iran solely for the purpose of earning their livelihood through fishing activities. However, due to the conflict situation in the region, fishing operations have completely halted, leaving the fishermen without employment, income, or adequate facilities for food and shelter.
The families of the stranded fishermen in Tamil Nadu are undergoing severe mental agony and financial hardship, as most of these individuals are the sole breadwinners for their households. Consequently, the petitioner moved the court seeking a direction to the Centre and the state government to take immediate diplomatic and administrative measures to ensure the safety, protection, rescue, and evacuation of the fishermen.
Centre's Response and Court's Direction
In response, the Centre submitted that after Iran closed its airports and ports, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been diligently taking all necessary steps to render assistance to the Indians stranded there. Helpline numbers and email IDs have been circulated to facilitate communication and support.
The central government is closely monitoring the situation, and steps will be taken to rescue the stranded fishermen once normalcy returns to the region. A division bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman then directed the stranded fishermen to contact the Indian Embassy for necessary assistance, and the petition was disposed of accordingly.
This development underscores the challenges faced by Indian workers abroad during international conflicts and the government's efforts to provide support through diplomatic channels.
