Iraq kidnapping: Punjab NRI Commission takes note

Punjab State Commission for NRIs today took suo-motu cognisance of reports about 40 Indians abducted in Iraq and directed Union ministries to immediately apprise it of the latest details of the rescue operations. Commission Chairperson Justice (Retd) Arvind Kumar observed that the Commission has been set up for the welfare of and safeguarding the interests of NRIs.

The responsibility is shouldered on us also to coordinate and pursue such relief/rescue operations that have already been undertaken, the Commission observed. "We take suo-motu cognisance provided under clause (C) of Section (2) of the Punjab State Commission for NRIs Act 2011. Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs immediately on receipt of this order may apprise the latest details of the rescue operations and any results thereof to this Commission," the Commission said in its order.

The Commission also asked the Principal Secretary (Home)/DGP Punjab to coordinate with district authorities to contact the families of those kidnapped in Iraq and then to apprise them of the latest developments. "We recommend to the Punjab Government to assign/depute a senior officer for such coordination with the Central Ministries to get latest inputs to be apprised to the aggrieved families back home," the Commission said.

It also said that the UN Security Council (UNSC) had on many occasions highlighted the suffering of innocent civilians in Iraq, the Commission said, adding that the UNSC had also encouraged the Iraqi Government to meet the security needs of the entire population. The Commission asked for an interim report from the Central Ministries within ten days and fixed June 30 as the next date of hearing on the matter.