CHANDIGARH: About 185 people from Punjab stranded in the Middle East amid the escalating Iran-US-Israel conflict have contacted the state government’s 24x7 helpline, seeking evacuation.
Sources said the helpline had received around 185 calls from people across the state stuck in the region — 135 from the UAE, four from Kuwait, nine from Bahrain, five from Qatar, two from Iran, and one each from Muscat and Armenia. Those in distress have urged the state government to ensure their safe return.
A high-level team headed by Additional DGP, NRI Affairs Wing, Punjab Police, RK Jaiswal, has been constituted to monitor the situation. Most of those stranded had travelled to these countries on leisure visits.
A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the helpline was continuing to receive calls and the number was expected to rise sharply.
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh met Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu and sought the immediate launch of rescue flights, operation of special aircraft and a cap on “exploitative” airfares to ensure the safe and swift return of stranded Punjabis.
“There is an urgent need to resume flights and operate special evacuation services. Our people cannot be left stranded in this crisis,” he said.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by the Punjabi diaspora due to the conflict and instability in the Middle East, Singh said, “A significant portion of Punjab’s population resides and works in various Middle Eastern countries. The cancellation of numerous scheduled flights has left many of our NRI brothers and sisters stranded, while their families back home are in deep distress.”
Singh said the Civil Aviation Minister had assured him that the concerns raised by the Punjab government would be considered on priority. He urged the minister to coordinate with airlines to restore operations on safe corridors and operate special aircraft to clear the passenger backlog.
“The Union Government is already working on the matter as Indian citizens from several states are stranded in Gulf countries,” he added.
Singh also visited the facilitation centre set up by the Punjab government at the IGI Airport in New Delhi to assist Punjabis returning from Gulf countries.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann spoke to Naidu and urged him to ensure the safe evacuation of Punjabis stranded in the strife-torn Middle East.
During the telephonic conversation, Mann shared data on Punjabis stranded in Gulf countries following the sudden outbreak of war and pressed for immediate steps to bring them home.
Taking to X, Mann said: “I spoke over the phone with Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu. NRI Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh had also gone to meet him in person. The Union Minister has assured that necessary arrangements will be made for the safe return of Punjabis from Arab countries, including the operation of special flights. I have shared the list of all concerned persons along with their contact numbers. Soon, these Punjabis will return safely to their families. For any kind of information or assistance, please contact: NRI Wing 24/7 Control Room: 0172-2260042, 0172-2260043, WhatsApp: +91 94787 79112.”
Mann added, “During my telephonic conversation with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, I shared all the data related to Punjabis stranded in Gulf countries due to the sudden war. I urged him that these Punjabis must be evacuated at the earliest so that they can reunite with their distressed families back in Punjab. The Union Minister has assured all possible help, and I hope that the Punjabis stuck in the war-torn Gulf region will soon be with their families.”
