MP seeks evacuation of 1,200 Ladakhi pilgrims from Iran

Our Correspondent

Leh, February 28

Member of Parliament from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal met Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Delhi and urged him to evacuate the stranded pilgrims of Ladakh from Iran at the earliest.

They have been stranded following the suspension of the flight operations, which is a precautionary measure to contain the coronavirus.

Namgyal said 1,200 passengers belonging to Kargil and Leh district of the Union Territory of Ladakh were on a pilgrimage to Ziarat, Iran, and were scheduled to fly back to India on February 28. However, their air tickets were cancelled without prior intimation.

During the meeting with the Ladakh MP, Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Lieutenant Governor of the Ladakh UT and other officials concerned.

The Foreign Minister also issued directions to plan safe and workable modalities to bring all stranded pilgrims to India followed by a proper health check-up to avoid an unwanted health situation.

Jaishankar promised the Ladakh MP to evacuate all stranded people of Ladakh back to India safely at the earliest.

On behalf of the stranded pilgrims, Namgyal promised full cooperation during the screening or health check-up wherever necessary.