Evacuation flights to Karnataka sought

TDT | Manama

Kannadiga community leaders urged yesterday to operate evacuation flights from Bahrain and other Gulf states to the South Indian State of Karnataka. This came during a video conference held with the Karnataka state’s Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

The flights, the community leaders said, should offer free or discounted tickets and prioritise people with compelling reasons like job-loss, expired visit visas, pregnancy and requiring urgent medical assistance.

In his response, Yediyurappa urged Kannadigas in the Gulf to face the situation with courage and promised to look into the demands. He said the state has already arranged hotels and other facilities for those arriving to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

He further assured measures to allow people travelling from Gulf states to cities in other states to travel back to Karnataka. The meeting further urged opening a dedicated COVID-19 helpline number for Karnataka NRIs, nominate a contact person in Karnataka and a website for non-resident Kannadigas worldwide for evacuation and future activities.

The discussion, organised by Kannadigaru Dubai and Karnataka NRI Forum and participated by members of various Kannada associations from Gulf countries, was held in the presence of Kannada Sangha Bahrain president Pradeep Shetty.

Separately, a delegation comprising Shetty and senior Karnataka community leader and KHK Heroes Foundation vice-president Mohammed Mansoor met the second secretary (Consular and CW) of Indian Embassy in Bahrain PK Chowdhury.

They discussed arrangements regarding repatriation flights and food kits (dry ration) distribution to the needy in the Kingdom. Chowdhury assured that the Embassy is working on repatriation efforts.