Over 650 Indian fishermen stranded near Iran’s Kish Island amid conflict
Kanyakumari MP urges MEA for immediate escalation
Chennai: Kanyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth has appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to urgently evacuate over 650 Indian fishermen stranded near Kish Island in Iran. The fishermen, most of whom hail from coastal villages in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district, are reportedly facing acute shortages of food and essential supplies due to the ongoing regional conflict between Israel and Iran.
In a letter dated 3 July addressed to M. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the MEA's PAI Division, the MP highlighted the worsening conditions faced by the stranded fishermen. He noted that despite the Indian Embassy officials visiting the group and assessing their situation, their distress continues to mount. Vasanth stated that contact details and the fishermen’s location have already been shared with the authorities, and Antony Shaju has been designated as the liaison point for coordination.
The MP described the situation as a humanitarian crisis and called for immediate delivery of food supplies and safe repatriation. Families of the fishermen in India are reportedly anxious, with no clear update yet from the government regarding an evacuation plan.
According to reports, more than 1,000 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, mainly from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi, were working in Iran on contractual jobs near the Kish Island port. Operations were suspended after hostilities escalated between Israel and Iran. Although tensions have slightly eased, the conditions remain unsafe, and over 650 fishermen are still stranded aboard their motorboats without access to land or supplies.
MEA sources have confirmed that the issue is under urgent consideration, though an official statement is yet to be released.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
