Bengaluru, March 2 (IANS). Karnataka Government Minister Krishna Byre Gowda explained how people stranded in the Middle East could get help during the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.
Speaking to news agency IANS on Monday, he said that people of our state are also currently stranded in the Middle East. They can use any one of the two options suggested by us to get out of there as per their convenience. We would suggest such people to register their names on the ‘Sarathi Sahay’ portal launched by the Central Government. After registering their names, they will be immediately provided assistance from the Central Government.
Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said that apart from this, we have also issued a helpline number for our citizens stranded in the Middle East. If they wish, they can contact on these helpline numbers. We have issued two numbers. The first numbers are 08022340676 and 08022253707. After contacting these numbers and portals, we will immediately transmit the information of the concerned person to the Union Ministry of External Affairs, after which immediate help will be provided to them. Also, our people stranded in the Middle East can also contact local embassies. Once they contact these embassies, they will be provided immediate assistance.
He said that if we look at it this way, there are mainly three options for help for our people stranded in Karnataka. Under the first option, our people stranded in the Middle East can contact on the web portal issued by the Central Government or can contact on the telephone number. If this doesn’t work, you can contact the local embassy. We will ensure that immediate help is provided to the citizens trapped there.
The minister said that apart from all these things, we have requested the Central Government to instruct the local embassies of the Middle East to take immediate steps towards providing help to the people stranded there. Apart from this, arrangements should also be made for the people trapped there to stay as long as the war is going on.
Apart from this, he also mentioned relief rescue. He said that as far as relief and rescue is concerned, I want to make one thing clear that right now air activity in the Middle East is difficult because there are continuous attacks on each other. But, the central government is also busy in preparing the complete outline regarding the ‘rescue operation’ to be started after the end of the war. Going forward, based on this outline, a complete plan will be prepared on how to save people. We are also currently in contact with private airline companies. Also, if needed, we will also start special aircraft services for the rescue of people stranded there. We will ensure that they do not face any kind of problems.
The minister in the Karnataka government said that we have requested the local embassies of the Middle East to also make arrangements for the accommodation of the people trapped in the war-torn region. Whatever expenses will be incurred in this direction, it will be borne by us. We will not have any objection in taking steps in this direction. The state government is currently keeping an eye on the entire situation. Amidst the war, the Central and Karnataka governments are trying their best to rescue people from there. At the same time, in view of the current situation, I urge all people to exercise patience and follow the guidelines issued by the local administration.
He said that at present many of our people are stranded in the Middle East. I would like to urge all such people to register their names on the web portal launched by our government, so that it comes to our notice that they are stranded there, so that we can take steps from our side towards saving them.
–IANS
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