Evacuate J&K residents stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran: Leaders to Centre

Several political leers in Jammu and Kashmir have appealed to Centre to evacuate residents of Union Territory, including students, stranded in Iran which is emerging as second focal point after China for spre of coronavirus.

National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi spoke to Union Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar about safe return of stranded Kashmiri students in Iran following outbreak of dely virus re.

While acquainting External Affairs minister about plight of families whose kith and kin are stranded in various cities of Iran, Masoodi said ground situation in Iran has worsened due to outbreak of coronavirus claiming scores of lives.

"Iran has highest number of deaths following outbreak of disease outside China, Japan, Korea. situation prevailing in Iran has me kith and kin of those stranded in Iran apprehensive about wellbeing of ir loved ones fearing that y might also contract viral disease.

" news emanating from Iran regarding outbreak of viral disease has put scores of families, whose wards are studying re, through trepidation.  stranded students too have been making fervent appeals for ir evacuation from various Iranian cities," he said.

Iran health ministry on Friday confirmed 34 deaths due to dely disease and 388 confirmed cases of virus in country.

According to media reports, country has highest number of death toll outside China, epicentre of virus.

Masoodi said Centre was evacuating Indian nationals from various countries and sought similar measures for those stranded in Iran.

" government has successfully evacuated Indian nationals from China and or countries, quarantined m on board on ir way back to India. Similar efforts should be carried out for those stranded in Iran without any delay. measure will help save many precious lives and bring respite to scores of families fearing for wellbeing of ir loved ones. students should be screened before sending m back to Kashmir.

"Meanwhile, Indian embassies in Iran should be asked to get in touch with stranded students to ensure that visories issued by Iranian authorities and World Health Organization are effectively followed by m. A task force should be formed in various embassies throughout Gulf region to monitor wellbeing of Indian students studying re," NC MP told Jaishankar.

Union minister has assured that Central government will t spare any effort to come to rescue of stranded Indians in countries hit with dely virus, Masoodi said.

Former Union minister and senior Congress leer Saif-ud-din Soz also pleed with External Affairs minister to facilitate return of residents of Jammu and Kashmir from Iran and or countries affected by virus.

"I have written to Minister of External Affairs today that, among or countries, especially China and Iran are experiencing coronavirus. I pleed strongly with him that it is a worrisome situation for Kashmir from where many people have travelled to Iran for studies and or pursuits in life," Soz said in a statement here.

Prominent Shia leer and former minister Imran Reza Ansari said he was in touch with relevant authorities and has been assured of evacuation of J&K students from Iran.

"I am reaching out to Kashmiri students stuck in Tehran with assurance I have got from MEA for ir evacuation as per WHO protocol. I am in constant touch with relevant authorities. Inshaallah in coming days GOI will do everything for our citizens safety," Ansari posted on Twitter.

Former finance minister Syed Mohamm Altaf Bukhari h on Wednesday appealed to Centre to evacuate residents of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly students and businessmen, stranded in Iran.

"I am in touch with MEA and have submitted details of over 240 J&K students who are stuck in Shiraz, Tehran and or cities of Iran," Bukhari said in a statement.

He said chartered flights and a separate quarantine facility should be arranged to J&K students stuck in Iran.

Representative Im