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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka: Home Department asks motorists to drive on highways with caution to avoid robbery
Belagavi: The Home Department has advised motorists to stay alert while travelling on national and state highways, warning that gangs involved in robbery and extortion have been active in several stretches. It said people should be extra cautious if anyone tries to stop their vehicle in isolated areas.
Replying to an unstarred question on Thursday, the department said Karnataka has recorded 403 highway robbery cases in the past three years. According to the data, national highways saw 81 extortion and 23 robbery cases in 2023, followed by 66 extortion and 16 robbery cases in 2024. Until November 15 this year, 51 extortion and 14 robbery cases have been reported.
ALSO READ: 2,84,881 posts vacant in Karnataka: Siddaramaiah inform Legislative Council
On state highways, 39 extortion and 17 robberies were reported in 2023, while 2024 saw 35 extortion and 22 robbery cases. In 2025 so far, 20 extortion and 19 robbery cases have taken place. The department noted that curbing highway robberies remains a major challenge for the police.
To tackle the issue, police stations have been directed to set up regular checkpoints on stretches of highways passing through their limits. Suspicious individuals and vehicles are being checked. Two-wheelers have been allocated to every station for night patrol, and staff have been instructed to conduct night rounds using vehicles fitted with sirens and red lights.
