Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has
sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s intervention to ensure
safe return of Haj pilgrims from the state who, he said, are
stranded at the Jeddah airport.
Gehlot has requested Singh to issue directions to the
Union Civil Aviation Ministry and External Affairs Ministry
for arranging food, shelter and flights so that these pilgrims
can safely return to India.
"The Haj pilgrims from Rajasthan were forcefully
evicted from their temporary dwelling units on November 21 in
Mecca for the return journey, and were shifted to Jeddah
airport, thus, causing them great inconvenience," the Chief
Minister had said in the letter.
"Flights to India are not available for them at
Jeddah. These pilgrims were not being taken care of by the
Indian Consulate in Jeddah and are left unattended at the
Jeddah airport," he added.
"Their relatives in the state are greatly worried
about their well-being".
PTI
