Kerala MP moves SC, seeks evacuation of Indian citizens stranded in gulf countries

A Congress MP from Kerala has approached Supreme Court seeking direction to Centre to establish a specialised team to identify Indian citizens who are stranded in Gulf countries and require immediate evacuation amid coronavirus pandemic.

M K Raghavan, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Kerala's Kozhikode constituency, has said in his plea that Centre should also be directed to facilitate evacuation of Indian citizens who cant afford to travel back from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

petition has furr sought a direction to government to grant specific approval to special flights to bring back se citizens since many of stranded persons are desirous of returning to India at ir own cost.

It said government should be directed to depute medical team(s) to GCC nations to ensure that equate medical assistance is provided to those "who are infected by COVID-19 with due regard to laws and regulations of such nations".

plea has also sought a direction to concerned authorities to "ensure that citizens who are t stranded in GCC nations are quarantined and provided all medical and health facilities" as prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO).

plea said many people from Kozhikode in Kerala, petitioner MP's constituency, are working in foreign countries especially in GCC nations.

" outbreak of COVID-19 has caused widespre disruptions in lives of Indian citizens at home and abro, especially those stranded in Gulf countries," it said.

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"As a result of this, petitioner (Raghavan) herein is being approached by several individuals and organizations to ensure safe return and well-being of such Indians who are stranded in GCC nations in absence of basic amenities; particularly those pertaining to essential healthcare requirements as well as household needs," plea said.

It said Raghavan has contacted several airlines which have expressed ir desire and willingness to ensure safe return of Indians stranded in GCC nations.

plea said se nations have accorded ir approval and assured ir complete support for operation of flights to India to assist with repatriation of stranded citizens.

"However, this proved to be futile as Indian air has been shut since outbreak of COVID-19. refore, Indians continue to be stranded despite several gracious offers being me by airline operators to assist ir return from GCC nations," it said.

petitioner said he h me representations to ministries of external affairs, civil aviation, shipping and Kerala government requesting urgent permission for operating chartered flights between India and GCC nations and take or appropriate measures to repatriate Indian citizens stranded re but positive response was obtained.

On Friday, a separate plea was filed in apex court seeking directions to Centre to rescue and bring back Indian migrants stranded in Gulf countries in wake of pandemic.

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