By Punjabnewswire4u
Chandigarh,
Aug 29
The Punjab
Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, today urged the Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh seeking his personal intervention to direct the Ministry of
External Affairs, GoI to make use of all diplomatic channels to secure immediate
release of 35 Indian national crew members along with Captain SS Cheema, of
Shipping Corporation of India Limited owned Motor Tanker ‘Desh Shanti’ Vessel,
who were arrested on Bandar Abbas in Iran since August 12, 2013.
In two
separate letters addressed to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Union
External Affairs Minister Mr. Salman Khurshid, the Chief Minister impressed
upon them for expediting release of the vessel along with its Captain and crew
at the earliest.
Disclosing
this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the
Merchant Navy Officers Association led by Capt. Lalit Chander Dharmani along
with Mrs. Neena Cheema, the wife of Captain SS Cheema called on Mr. Badal here
at Chief Minister’s residence this evening to apprise him about the entire
incident for seeking his support and help to get the crew members released
expeditiously.
The
association also informed Mr. Badal that the all the crew members have been arrested
on the ground that the ship had allegedly polluted Iranian seas. The crew on
board was feeling threatened and were distressed since the last 18 days. The
hygiene of the vessel was also a matter of major concern.
It may be
recalled that Captain Cheema is a resident of Mohali, who informed that his
wife that vessel was in no way responsible for creating any pollution and not
committed any irregularity rather it complied with all international rules and
regulations. The association also urged the Chief Minister on behalf of the
families of the sea farers that the vessel should be released immediately
besides securing the safe return of their beloved ones to their homes.
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