Tamil Nadu Government sets up helpline for Tamils in West Asia

Expressing concern over the prevailing situation in West Asia, Chief Minister MK Stalin has asked the Non-Resident Tamils Welfare and Rehabilitation Department to know the status of Tamils living in the Gulf countries.

A control room has been established at the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, and the situation is being monitored, he said.

Stalin, while maintaining that the Government is in constant touch with the Tamils living in the Gulf countries, asserted that his government is ready to provide all the necessary assistance to them.

“If Tamils in the Gulf countries require any emergency assistance due to the prevailing situation, they or their family members in Tamil Nadu can contact the 24x7 toll-free numbers of the Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Department or the control room of the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi,” the CM said in a statement issued late on February 28.

He appealed to the people seeking assistance to strictly follow the instructions issued by the Indian Embassy in their respective regions.

Stalin also shared the New Delhi Control Room Help Line Numbers 011-24193300, 09289516712 to people who need assistance. The contact numbers of the Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Department are 1800 309 3793, overseas +91 80 69009900 +91 80 69009901, the release added.

Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary and the Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, urged the Union Government to take appropriate measures for the safety of Tamils living in the Gulf countries.

“Taking into account the tense situation prevailing in Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, I request all our Indians and Tamil people living and working there to remain safe,” he said. “I urge the Central Government to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the Tamils living there,” Palaniswami said in a social media post.

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, whose party is an ally of the NDA, also appealed to the Centre to request the Governments of the Gulf countries to ensure the safety of Indians living there by adopting methods that are feasible.

He said nearly one crore Indians live in Gulf countries, which include 40 lakh people in the UAE and 28 lakhs in Saudi Arabia. “Due to the situation, a great threat has arisen to the safety of Indians, including Tamils, living in the Gulf countries,” Anbumani said in a statement on Sunday.

Observing that flight services to countries, including Dubai, have been cancelled, a situation has emerged where Indians cannot be rescued, he said. “I request Indians to remain safe by adhering to the advice provided by the Government and security agencies of those countries,” he said.