Kathmandu, 25 March (H.S.):

Nepal's Foreign Ministry has kicked off efforts to meet detained Nepali citizen Amrit Jha and ascertain his real situation while in Iranian security forces custody on Wednesday. Its confirmed that he was among seven people arrested by Iranian forces from Keshan Island not far from the Strait of Hormuz with three still held.

Amrits family now lives in Triyuga Municipality Gaighat Udayapur. The 30-year-old who worked for a Dubai shipping firm has no clear reason or date yet for his arrest.

The ministry tasked Nepals honorary consul general in Iran with gathering key details. Documents received dont specify when Amrit was detained.

Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Kshetry Paudel said Weve confirmed Iranian security took Amrit into custody but reasons are unclear and theres confusion over the arrest date.

He added Its not clear if it happened during the recent war or before. Were working to find out. The Nepali embassy in Qatar is coordinating via the honorary consul to get info on Amrit and connect with his family.

According to reports a ship departed Omani waters on December 25 carrying seven people. Four of those detained were released right away but Amrit and two Indian nationals remain in custody.

Amrit and the two Indians were moved from Keshan Island to Abbas Port jail in the Hormuz area. Their employer Black Sea Marine LLC a UAE firm handling crude oil transport has hired an Iranian lawyer and filed a court petition for release.

Per the Foreign Employment Department Amrit got labor approval as a seaman for UAE on July 19 2024. Family application to consular services says he went from Dubai to Iran on company ship. His sister Pooja said they got a voice message days ago revealing hes in an Iranian jail.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar