The Government of India is arranging two ships to bring back Indians trapped in Yemen following the conflict between the government and rebel forces, Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has informed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

A press note issued by the Chief Minister’s Office here on Thursday said the Indians in Yemen would be transported in ships to the neighbouring country of Djibouti and from there by air to India. The airports in Yemen were closed due to the fighting between the rival forces.

By road

The press note said Indians who could not make it to the ships would be taken by road to Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Chandy urged the Indian Ambassador in Yemen to assist Malayali nurses who had complained that their employers were refusing to return their passports and other documents. All Malayali expatriates in Yemen wishing to return home had been directed to contact the Indian embassy.

Earlier, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had written to Ms. Swaraj requesting assistance from the Central government to bring back the Malayalis trapped in Yemen.

CPI(M) plea

CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan called on the State and Central governments for urgent steps to ensure the safe return of Indians, including Malayalis from Yemen.

Diplomatic channels

Observing that the civil war in Yemen was spinning out of control, he called on the Union government to use diplomatic channels with Saudi Arabia to ensure that Indians were safely evacuated from Yemen and transported home.

The telephone numbers are: +91-11-2301 2113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-2301790.

The fax number is: +91-11-23018158

The email is: controlroom@mea.gov.in

Source: TH