8 hours ago
As Iran-Israel war rages, Telangana and Andhra step up efforts to help their citizens
The governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are taking steps to help their citizens stuck amid the hostilities between Iran and Israel.
'In view of the escalating geopolitical tensions and military developments in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, the Government of Telangana has immediately activated a dedicated helpline at Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi. This initiative aims to assist and respond swiftly to any concerns related to Telangana residents who may be currently residing or traveling in the affected regions,' Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's office said.
According to the statement and latest available inputs from the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies abroad, no Telangana citizens have been reported as directly impacted as of now.
However, as a proactive measure, a helpline has been established to provide guidance, collect information, and offer support to families or individuals who may require assistance or wish to report concerns, the statement read.
Senior officials of Telangana Bhavan are in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs, embassy officials, and other relevant central authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
There are about 1,000 people from Telangana in Israel, including approximately 100 students. The rest work primarily as caregivers. A Telangana native, R Ravindra, died of a heart attack while under treatment at a hospital in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. His wife, R Vijayalakshmi, said that just around the time the conflict started, Ravindra felt uneasy and visited the hospital.
Andhra Pradesh's NRI Empowerment and Relations Minister Kondapalli Srinivas, meanwhile, said the state government reached out to 100 non-resident Indians from the state who are stuck in Iran.
'The Government of Andhra Pradesh has swiftly reached out to over 100 NRIs in Iran and is continuously monitoring the evolving situation,' said Srinivas in a post on X late on Tuesday.
He said a 24×7 control room is actively assessing developments and taking all necessary precautions. He appealed to NRIs to stay updated through official Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) channels.
In a post on X yesterday, the Indian embassy in Iran wrote: 'All Indian Nationals and PIOs who can move out of Tehran using their own resources, are advised to move to a safe location outside the City.'
(With PTI inputs)
