Seafarer Vineet Kishor Mishra's family has been doing everything to bring him back from Pakistan since April this year. Lalit Kishore Mishra, Vineet's father, a retired army man, said his family is living under tremendous mental stress as his son, aboard the ship 'KEVER', has been stranded in Karachi following a dispute between the ship owners and the port authorities.
News agency PTI, quoting sources, said six Indian seafarers, including Vineet, have been stranded at Karachi port aboard a general cargo ship since April.
TOI reported that Vineet's family members came to Delhi from Prayagraj in UP, in hopes of raising the issue with the higher authorities. Vineet's family also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar.
Vineet's wife Neha said it became difficult for her to answer the question of her three-year-old Vedansh Mishra, who keeps asking when his father will come home. It has been seven months, and still we are waiting for his return, she added.
Six Indian seafarers Are Safe: Govt Source
The sources said all six Indian seafarers stranded at Karachi port aboard a general cargo ship are safe. Formalities have been initiated for the embarkation of the six relief crew members onto the ship, a senior government officer said on Thursday. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained.
The vessel is safely alongside at Berth No. 21, West Wharf, Karachi Port. They said the vessel owners are awaiting formal embarkation clearance from the port authorities. "The manning agency has submitted the requisite request for the embarkation of six relief seafarers, who are fully processed and ready to board upon receipt of clearance," they added.
"The relievers are already in the hotel in Pakistan," they said. The official also said that round-the-clock coordination is being maintained with the vessel owners and crew members.
Govt Initiates Effort To Ensure Safe Return Of Indians: Sources
"The matter is being closely monitored, and further updates will be provided immediately upon receipt of any progress from the authorities," he said.
The official said the letters were already written to all stakeholders, including the Indian High Commission in Pakistan, with a copy to the PAI division of MEA. "The seafarer is safe, and the embarkation of the six relief crew members is pending formal clearance from the Port Authorities," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
