Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments informed about Iraq situation

HYDERABAD: Thirty one people from Telangana state and two from Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra) are at present in strife-torn Iraq, according to information received by the two state governments.

Telangana government has received information about the presence of 31 people who may need government help, an official said.

There could be others present but they may not be in need of urgent help, he said.

In a communique two days ago, Telangana government has instructed all district collectors to find out if anybody from the state is trapped in Iraq and also set up a helpline.

Meanwhile, as per information received so far, two people from the (new) Andhra Pradesh are in Iraq, state NRI Empowerment and Relations Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said here today.

Of the two, one is from West Godavari district while the other hails from Visakhapatnam, he told reporters.

Andhra Pradesh government has also set up a helpline and directed all district collectors to get details about those who may be stranded in Iraq.

Andhra Pradesh government has urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to provide the necessary assistance to those in distress and also get in touch with the Indian Ambassador in Baghdad, the minister said.

Replying to a query, he said the number of people from Andhra Pradesh stranded in Iraq may not be much.