Bihar JD(U) Leader Urges Centre for Safe Evacuation of Citizens from West Asia Amid Escalating Tensions
In a significant development, JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha has urgently appealed to the Central government to implement effective measures for the safe evacuation of a large number of citizens from Bihar who are currently stranded in West Asia. This call comes amid escalating regional tensions following recent strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States, which have heightened security concerns across the Gulf region.
Deep Concern for Citizen Safety
Sanjay Kumar Jha, who also serves as a Rajya Sabha member, expressed profound worry about the safety of Bihari residents and other Indian citizens in the affected areas. According to unofficial reports, approximately 80,000 people from Bihar are employed in West Asia, particularly in countries like the United Arab Emirates, where hostilities have spread. "We are very much worried about the safety of our citizens. Several calls are coming to us asking for help," Jha stated during a press briefing on Sunday, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Acting on instructions from the Chief Minister, Jha revealed that he has already engaged with the External Affairs Minister to discuss the issue. He assured that the Bihar government is in constant communication with the Government of India, which is actively exploring all available options to assist stranded citizens. "We will find out ways to evacuate the citizens once the situation gets normal," Jha added, highlighting the need for stability before large-scale evacuation efforts can proceed.
Appeal for Caution and Coordination
In his appeal, Jha urged Indian citizens in the impacted regions to remain indoors, stay alert, and strictly adhere to advisories issued by local authorities and Indian missions. He expressed confidence that the government would take necessary steps without delay once conditions stabilize, underscoring the collaborative efforts between state and central authorities.
The backdrop to this appeal includes reports of airstrikes and explosions in several West Asian countries, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. These incidents have left many Bihari migrants, who form a significant part of the Gulf workforce, in precarious situations. Sources indicate that Bihar has a substantial migrant population in the Gulf, making their safety a top priority for state leaders.
Political Responses and Assurance
The BJP has responded by affirming that the Indian embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs are working overtime to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian citizens from West Asia. A state BJP spokesperson noted, "We have an old track record of evacuating Indian citizens stuck in foreign lands under adverse circumstances. We did it during the COVID-19 period and also during the Russia-Ukraine war," adding that the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation.
Similarly, the LJP (Ram Vilas), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, has emphasized the government's sensitivity to the crisis. An LJP (RV) spokesperson stated, "We are very serious to the safety of our citizens," and assured that every effort is being made to bring back stranded individuals safely. This bipartisan support underscores the collective commitment to addressing the humanitarian aspect of the conflict.
As tensions continue to simmer in West Asia, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of Indian nationals abroad, with coordinated efforts aimed at facilitating their safe return once conditions permit.
