Indian Embassy providing necessary assistance to Indians in Iran, Centre informs HC

Indian Embassy in Iran assists stranded fishermen amid West Asia conflict, as court hears plea for evacuation and support.

The Central government on Thursday informed Madurai Bench of Madras High Court that the Indian Embassy in Iran was taking all necessary steps to render assistance to the Indians stranded in Iran.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman was informed by Deputy Solicitor General K. Govindarajan that helpline numbers and e-mail IDs had been circulated. With regard to the evacuation, it was beyond the hands of the authorities as Iran had closed its airports and ports.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by L. Ruth Baby Thason of Kanniyakumari district. The petitioner said nearly 600 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, particularly from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts were stranded in Iran.

She said due to the conflict in West Asia, fishing activities had been stopped and the fishermen were stranded without employment, income, adequate facilities for food, shelter and medical assistance. The fishermen had travelled abroad for livelihood and supporting their families. Now, their families were living under constant emotional trauma and financial hardship as most of these fishermen were the sole breadwinners of their households, she said.

The petitioner sought a direction to the Centre and the State to take immediate diplomatic and administrative measures to ensure the safety, protection, rescue and evacuation of the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu stranded in Iran. The court said the Indian Embassy could be contacted and the assistance availed.