Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has held discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure the safe return of Odias stranded in West Asia, Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Sunday.
Replying to a media query on the evacuation of Odias from conflict-hit areas, Harichandan said, “Our Chief Minister discussed the matter with the MEA, and very soon, people from our state will return home safely.”
He added that the Prime Minister and the MEA have taken all necessary steps to evacuate every Indian citizen from the war-affected zone. “The government has prepared all plans, and everything is proceeding on schedule. Not a single Indian will be left behind,” the minister said.
The evacuation comes in the wake of a major attack by the United States and Israel on Iran on Saturday, which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early Sunday.
Air travel across West Asia and several other countries, including India, has been severely disrupted due to airspace restrictions following the joint attack and Iran’s retaliatory strikes.
The Odisha government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the MEA to ensure the safe return of all stranded Odias. The minister emphasised that priority is being given to those in immediate danger, and evacuation flights are expected to begin shortly.
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