Guwahati, March 2: The Assam government is maintaining regular communication with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to obtain details about residents of the state who may be living in or stranded across West Asia amid the rapidly intensifying conflict in the region, a senior official said on March 1. However, authorities have yet to determine the exact number of people from Assam currently present in the affected areas.
Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI) on condition of anonymity, the official confirmed that efforts to compile information are underway. The state government, he said, is in continuous contact with the MEA and is working to gather data on individuals from Assam residing in West Asian countries. He added that further details would be shared once the process of collecting and verifying information is complete.
A significant number of people from Assam are employed in various sectors across West Asia, including aviation, hospitality and business establishments. Despite their presence in multiple industries, no consolidated or official data is currently available regarding their exact numbers.
The outreach by state authorities follows a major military escalation in the region after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday. Reports indicated that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed early Sunday, further heightening tensions across the region.
In the aftermath of the strikes and Iran’s retaliatory measures, hundreds of flights have been disrupted throughout West Asia and in several other countries, including India, due to extensive airspace restrictions. The evolving situation has raised concerns about the safety and mobility of Indian nationals working in the region, prompting both state and central authorities to closely track developments.
