Bhubaneswar, 10 March (H.S.): Leader of the Opposition in Odisha and president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday appealed to both the state government and the Central government to take urgent measures to bring back Odia citizens stranded in the Middle East

Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, Patnaik said he had received information that a large number of Odia people are currently stranded in several Middle Eastern countries due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

“I understand that lakhs of Odia people are stranded in Middle Eastern countries. I request the governments of India and Odisha to take immediate steps to ensure their safe return to their homes in India,” Patnaik said.

His appeal comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East following joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran that began on February 28.

Patnaik urged both governments to coordinate closely and take immediate action to facilitate the safe evacuation and return of Odia citizens from the conflict-affected areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda