INS Jalashwa to ferry 750 Indians from Maldives to Kochi

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Around 750 Indian nationals will embark for Kochi from Maldives capital, Male later today as part of Indian government’s Operation Samudra Setu to evacuate Indians stranded abroad. These people will return by an Indian navy ship INS Jalashwa which reached Male yesterday.  The program operated by Indian navy entails bringing back around two thousand Indians in two ships during the first phase of evacuation. People have started gathering since morning for necessary emigration and other formalities before they embark upon their journey.

Indian High Commission in Male has enlisted support of local volunteers for assistance in making it a smooth process. Preference has been given to medical emergencies, stranded tourists, pregnancy cases and migrant workers suffering job losses. Indian High commissioner to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir had termed the exercise as biggest of its kind from the neighbouring country and thanked Maldives government for its assistance. Another ship of Indian navy INS Magar is expected to bring back over a thousand Indians from Maldives to Tuticorin next week.