Centre must take serious steps to ensure safety of stranded Indians in Iraq: Mayawati(Amended)

Bahujan Samaj Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Friday described the civil war like situation in Iraq as very grim, and said that it was unfortunate that Indian citizens who had gone there for jobs, were victims of it.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, Mayawati said: "There is a civil war-like situation in Iraq. Our Indian nationals residing there are also victims of this. We got to know that at least 40 people were abducted in Iraq and there is no trace of them. There are thousands of Indian workers working in Iraq and people here in India are also concerned for them. In this hour of need our party stands with the central government."

"But besides this, our party appeals to the Centre to be serious on this issue and should take timely steps. There shouldn't be any carelessness in this issue. We are with the (NDA) government in working towards getting our people who are stuck there back. They should not stop at anything to rescue them. We request the Central Government to take serious and strong steps to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens from Iraq," she added.

Mayawati's reaction came a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met the families of the abducted Indians in Iraq, and told them that the government will make every effort to rescue those who have been stranded.

Swaraj's assurances came in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

On Friday, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would their all to secure the safe release of the 40 Indian hostages in Iraq.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has introduced a 24*7 helpline for the Indians trapped in Iraq.

The MEA had also confirmed that the location of the trapped Indians is being tracked; however, they have not been able to track the trapped nationals.

On Thursday night, residents in Amritsar held candle light vigil in support of the abducted Indians in Iraq. They also held up placards which called on the 'nation to unite and save the people of AHBRO.

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