Punjabis trapped in Iraq: Badal to meet Sushma again

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said he would again meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to ask her to expedite the process of bringing back 39 people from the State "trapped" in Mosul region of strife-torn Iraq.
An assurance in this regard was given by Badal to a delegation of the family members of those 39 Punjabis, who called on the Chief Minister here, an official release said.
The Chief Minister said that he is personally keeping a close liaison with the Union Government, officers of MEA and the special envoy of India to Iraq Suresh Reddy to ensure safe return of Punjabis stranded in that strife-torn country.

Expressing satisfaction over the efforts made by the Union Government in this regard, he exhorted the families to have faith in the Government, which was not leaving any stone unturned for safe evacuation of every single Indian from that country, the release said.
Badal also assured the families that on its part the State Government is making strenuous efforts to expedite the process for the release of their next of kin, who were trapped in Iraqi civil war.
The Chief Minister has also spoken to Special Envoy of Indian Government to Iraq Suresh Reddy over phone, to get the latest update on this issue, the release said.

Reddy informed the Chief Minister that all the 39 Punjabis were safe and the Union Government was exploiting all diplomatic channels to ensure their early release.
The special envoy apprised Badal that they were in touch with the owner of the factory where these workers were employed so that they could be evacuated at the earliest, the release said, adding Reddy also spoke to a family member of one of the Punjabis to give assurance of their safe return.