New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) Forty-five Indian sailors continue to be in detention in various countries, including 16 in Nigeria, 10 in Iran and five in China, Parliament was told today.
Answering a question in the Lok Sabha on the number of Indian sailors detained abroad in the past three years, and their status, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, presented a chart according to which 45 Indian sailors are in detention in eight countries. These include: Five in China, two in Ivory Coast, 10 in Iran, three each in Italy and Mauritius, 16 in Nigeria, four in Senegal, and two in Trinidad &Tobago.
On the status of the 16 Indian sailors in Nigeria, he said the Government is in regular touch with the concerned Nigerian authorities for their early release. Three of the sailors are from Kerala.
He said the Indian High Commission in Abuja is also engaged with the concerned shipping company’s lawyers representing the sailors. Consular access was granted on the request of High Commission during which the Indian High Commissioner had interacted with the seafarers and ascertained their well-being.
The matter is sub-judice in Nigeria. However, all efforts are being made for early release of the Indian sailors.
The High Commissioner has had interactions with all the key stakeholders including Nigerian Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice, Attorney General, Chief of Naval Staff of Nigerian Navy, senior officers of Ministry of Defence, among others, to expedite the judicial process. The next date of Court hearing is on March 24, he informed the House.
MoS also added that the Government attaches highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indians abroad. As soon as any case of Indian sailor(s) being detained abroad is reported, the Indian Mission/Post concerned immediately takes up the matter with local Foreign office with a request to advise the concerned law enforcement agencies to expedite the investigation/trial as also early release/deportation of the sailor(s).
Indian Missions/Posts abroad also obtain consular access to visit the detained Indians regularly and follow up their cases with Courts, jails and public prosecution offices and other concerned agencies. Apart from extending all possible consular assistance, Missions/Posts abroad also use Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to provide financial assistance to distressed Indian nationals for legal aid as well as travel documents / air tickets on a means tested basis in deserving cases, he added.
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