Punjab govt sets up helpline, leaders across party lines urge S Jaishankar for evacuation

In his letter to Jaishankar, Channi said, “…A number of students and other Punjabis are stranded in Ukraine. Their parents and family members are worried about their safety because of the situation which has developed there. They are facing a number of problems like place to stay, cash crunch, etc.”

He requested the Centre to make immediate necessary arrangements for their safe evacuation.

Meanwhile, the state government in an official statement said, “In a bid to provide all possible assistance to the distressed families in this hour of crisis, the Punjab government has set-up a dedicated 24×7 control room to help people from Punjab stuck in war-hit Ukraine.”

The affected persons or their relatives can call on Helpline 1100 and others from outside India on +91-172-4111905 for relevant information, it said.

The queries on these helpline numbers will be immediately forwarded to the Union Ministry of External Affairs for safe and secure evacuation of persons stranded in Ukraine, it said.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Aam Aadmi Party state chief Bhagwant Mann, and Punjab Lok Congress president Amarinder Singh also appealed to the Centre to ensure their safe return.

Mann released a WhatsApp number 9877847778 for Punjabis stranded in Ukraine and their relatives so that people could contact him for help. The Sangrur MP has assured them all possible help, according to a party statement.

Harsimrat, a former Union minister, shared a list of 56 students from Punjab who are studying in various colleges in Ukraine. She said there was a likelihood of more Punjabis being stranded in Ukraine, besides people from other states, according to a statement.

She also reached out separately to Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, and requested that all help be extended to Indian students through the embassy in Ukraine.

Former CM Amarinder Singh too urged the Centre “to put all mechanisms in place for the safe and early return of all our nationals stuck there”.

Meanwhile, Ludhiana and Jalandhar district administrations issued helpline numbers to collect information of students and other persons stuck in Ukraine. A Helpline 80540-02351 has been set up by the Ludhiana district administration to collect information about students and other persons so that information could be forwarded to the authorities concerned, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said.

The deputy commissioner urged family members of people stuck in Ukraine to immediately provide information such as the name of the person, father’s name, address, mobile number, passport number, university/college name, their address and phone number in Ukraine.

Punjab Education Minister Pargat Singh, who is an MLA from Jalandhar, said a Helpline 0181-2224417 has been set up by the district administration for people stuck in Ukraine.

“People can visit the DC (Deputy Commissioner’s) office, in Room No. 22, during office hrs, to provide info on their family members,” he tweeted.

As the situation continues to remain grim in Ukraine, the parents whose children have gone there for study are worried for their safety.

Suchet Singh from Ambala was to return on February 27 and made a video call to his parents, informing them that he, along with some students, has reached close to the Poland border and hoping to be evacuated by the Indian government.

Khushi, a student hailing from Sirsa, said she returned earlier this week and her parents heaved a sigh of relief though they were now praying for the safe return of all other students, who are stuck there.

So far, the parents of 60 youths in Himachal Pradesh have contacted for the safe return of their wards but the exact number could be more, he added. “Other parents should also inform the government as it will help us in better coordination with the Centre for the safe evacuation of the state’s residents,” Thakur said.

(With PTI inputs)