Punjab gives details of 514 persons stuck in Iraq to Centre

CHANDIGARH: A detailed report about more than 500 residents of Punjab stuck in strife-torn Iraq was today submitted by the state government to the Centre.

"The Punjab government today submitted a detailed report of 514 Punjabis stuck in Iraq to the External Affairs Ministry," said Tota Singh, Punjab's NRI Affairs Minister. He said the state government received information about the stranded Punjabis on the control room helpline numbers.

"Punjabis in Iraq are safe but the central government should arrange their safe return as soon as possible because the situation in Iraq is worsening," the minister said in a statement.

He said that Punjabis from Iraq and their relatives back home who contacted the control room so far had informed that they were safe, but wanted to return to India. "Some Punjabis from Iraq have also provided information about their whereabouts which is being sent to the External Affairs Ministry," the minister said.