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Iraq crisis: 17 Indian nationals shifted, says MEA

India Blooms News Service | | Jun 24, 2014, at 01:21 am

#Iraq crisis: 17 Indian nationals shifted # says MEA

New Delhi, June 23 (IBNS): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said 17 out of 120 Indian nationals, stranded in the strife-torn Iraq, have been shifted.

"We had indicated that around 120 Indians are in conflict zone, of whom, I can confirm to you now that 17 have been shifted," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

However, he said there is "no safety in captivity."

Speaking about the Indian nurses stranded there, he said, "We are constantly in touch with the 46 nurses in Tikrit. I can confirm to you that they remain unharmed as of now."

"Safety and security of the Indians in Iraq continues to be a matter of priority for the government. We are proceeding systematically and carefully," the MEA spokesperson assured.

He informed that there are 12 major companies where Indians were working. He said between 2,000-2,500 Indians nationals were working in a company in Najaf.

"We received complains that several of them want to return. The company has arranged to send back 28 of them at their own requests," Akbaruddin said.

He said the Indian government is in regular touch with all the companies and will also hold a meeting with the agents, who sent these nationals to work in Najaf. This meeting would help the government to understand their status and aid in facilitation of their return.

"We will help those Indians who want to come back in every way, whether from Basra, or Najaf, which are far from the conflict zone. However, we cannot do anything about the contracts they would have signed with their employers, or the salary they might have to forfeit," he added.

Earlier, the (MEA) has said the control room in New Delhi is responding to all requests for assistance related to Indian nationals stranded in the conflict zone of Iraq.

"24X7 Responses! Control Room in New Delhi responds to all requests for assistance related to Indian nationals in Iraq," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

Meanwhile, Human rights watchdog Amnesty International India on Saturday claimed fresh evidence has emerged which showed hundred of Indian nationals may be stranded in Najaf province of conflict-hit Iraq.

"Evidence has emerged which suggests that several hundred Indian nationals may be stranded in the Najaf province of Iraq, unable to return home because their employer refuses to return their passports," Amnesty International India website said.

"All the workers are reportedly employed by an infrastructure and construction company. Amnesty International India spoke with some of these workers, who said they have not been paid salaries for the past five months," it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended a high-level meeting over the situation of Indians currently present in conflict-hit Iraq.

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