35 seafarers stuck in jails across globe

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi
Hoshiarpur, February 6

Joining the merchant navy is a dream job for the youth, but wrong selection of companies can prove to be disastrous and many a times, seafarers end up landing in jails in different countries or are left stranded on dead ships.

Information procured by Capt Sanjay Parashar, chairman of the Indian Maritime Federation, has revealed that there are 333 affected seafarers, including those who had been in jail and released after the efforts of the Centre. Still, there are 35 Indian seafarers who are stuck in different jails in various countries.

The information procured under RTI has revealed that Iran has the largest number of stranded and jailed Indian seafarers with 199 Indians released from Iranian jails while 21 were still in captivity. Recently, six Indian seafarers have been released of these 21 and they may be back to India soon. Unfortunately, one of them has got half-body paralysis.

Capt Parashar said there were several cases where the seafarers died in various countries while performing their duty. Their mortal remains were brought back by the Protector General of Emigrants, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Mortal remains of 34 Indian seafarers were brought back from foreign countries to India during 2018-19.