Bhubaneswar

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday criticised the Odisha Government for its alleged “silence” over the safety of Odia people stranded in West Asia amid the escalating conflict in the region.

In a post on X, the former chief minister said air routes are closed, flights are being cancelled and borders have been shut, leaving lakhs of Odias in distress.

Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal, said that in such difficult circumstances it is the duty of the state government to ensure the safe return of Odia citizens.

“However, the government’s failure to show urgency and take swift steps is only making their plight more difficult. Why is the government remaining silent?” he asked.

The five-time former chief minister said he could feel the fear and anxiety of Odias caught in the middle of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including labourers, students, professionals, tourists and travellers.

He added that families in Odisha were anxiously waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.

Patnaik also criticised what he termed the government’s rhetoric on “Odia Asmita”, asking why it was not standing firmly with the people of the state during such a crisis.

The opposition leader had earlier, on March 2, urged the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party-led government to take steps to evacuate Odia citizens from the conflict zone.

Although the exact number of Odias stranded in Iran and other Gulf nations is yet to be assessed, non-resident Odias in Dubai, Doha and Manama have reportedly contacted their families and informed them that they are safe despite the tense situation, officials said.

Sources said that with flight services disrupted due to the escalating tensions in West Asia, hundreds of Indians, including Odias, are stranded at major transit hubs such as Dubai and Doha and have taken to social media seeking assistance from the Indian government.

The situation in West Asia has worsened following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.

Meanwhile, replying to a question in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the state government, with the help of the Ministry of External Affairs, had brought back 158 Odia citizens facing difficulties abroad over the past two years.

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He said the rescued individuals had been repatriated from countries including Myanmar, Oman, Sudan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia and Liberia.