Chennai, March 12: Hundreds of fishermen from Tamil Nadu are currently stranded in Iran and other countries due to ongoing conflict in West Asia. As the situation worsens, the families of these fishermen, residing in coastal districts, are increasingly worried about their safety. The impact on transportation and maritime activities has made it impossible for these fishermen to return home at this time.
According to officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, approximately 593 fishermen are working in Iran and its neighboring countries. Most of them hail from coastal districts such as Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, and Cuddalore. Fishing has become a significant source of livelihood for many families in these areas.
Officials report that there have been no direct distress calls from the fishermen so far, but their families have expressed deep concerns about their safety amid escalating tensions and news of war.
A fisheries department official stated, “We have not received any direct pleas for help from the fishermen. Only their families have raised concerns. The state government is closely monitoring the situation and taking all possible steps within its capacity.”
The situation has become more complicated as the Iranian government has temporarily closed its ports and airports due to the war. This has severely affected the movement of people, making any evacuation efforts impossible at this time.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Iran is continuously monitoring the situation of Indian citizens and providing necessary assistance. The embassy has issued helpline numbers and email addresses for stranded Indians to contact them for help if needed.
This issue has now reached the courts. Relatives of two fishermen from Kanyakumari district, R. Sahaya Jenish Raj and J. Judelin, have filed a petition with the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court.
During the hearing, the central government informed the court that evacuation is currently not possible due to closed air and sea routes, but the Indian embassy in Iran is providing essential support to stranded Indians. The court recorded this statement and disposed of the petitions, advising the petitioners to provide full details of the fishermen to the embassy.
Additionally, MP C. Robert Bruce from Tirunelveli has met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, urging immediate action to safely bring back 43 fishermen from the village of Idinthakarai.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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