Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments are geared to provide all possible assistance to persons from the two States stranded in strife-torn Yemen for their safe return.
In response to the March 19 advisory by the Union Government, officials of the two States looking after NRI affairs are keeping a close watch on the unfolding situation in Yemen. The Centre had advised all Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Yemen and to leave that country on voluntary basis. The advisory had reiterated that the security situation in the country continues to be fragile, with high possibility of conflict and disturbances.
Senior TS and AP officials told The Hindu that they are in the process of gathering information about the number of people who are from the two States. “So far we have no information about the Telugus working in Yemen. Our helpline in the TS Secretariat (9440854433) is working. We are not receiving any distress call from the Telugus working there or any family members here,” S. Arvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary, General Administration Department, Telangana government which handles NRI affairs said.
Andhra Pradesh Special Secretary, GAD Ramana Reddy said he had spoken to the Ministry of External Affairs to know the latest developments. “We are tracking the developments and are ready to provide assistance to any Telugus from Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Mr. Singh told The Hindu that four months ago, the Telangana government had facilitated the travel of 786 people from Telangana, who were stuck in Libya, Iraq and Iran. “If we get a request from people from our State, we will make arrangements for their safe travel to India,” he said.
Kotapati Narasimha Naidu, president of Gulf Migrants Rights Forum, which is active in helping the expatriates in Middle East, said they had not received any call for help from Yemen. A conservative estimate puts the number of people from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh working there over 100.
IN PANICKY SITUATION
Security situation in Yemen continues to be fragile, with high possibility of conflict and disturbances
Centre advises all Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Yemen and to leave that country voluntarily
Officials are tracking the developments and have also provided a helpline to provide help to Telugus
The number of people from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh working in Yemen estimated to be over 100