Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SHP)
Panaji, Jul 5: Over five months, is the time spent by the 87 Indian seafarers on their vessels stranded in the Indonesian territory. One of the 87 Indians is a Goan who still awaits his release along with others.
On Tuesday, Andri Hadi, Indonesia's ministry of foreign affairs, gave an assurance towards the matter in order to continue having excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Goan sailor on board spoke of few fears he had while everyone still awaits their release. He stated that the names of the crew members who had health issues and family emergencies were provided to court by their agent, so that they are provided with immediate care. Besides, only after a thorough check by the immigration department the hospitalized crew will be allowed to leave. Furthermore, he was also concerned with the fate of the remaining crew members, who including him, awaiting an uncertain future.
Captain Sanjay Prashar, Chairman of the International Maritime Federation, has expressed remorse on the way which Indonesian government was dealing with the situation. He condemned the criminalization of the seafarers and urged for dignified treatment of the crew. Further, Prashar also pointed out the time, when Indian government had helped in the return of seven seafarers from Bhavnagar to Jakarta in March 2019.