Rourkela: With Bahrain reeling under continued missile and drone strikes, fear has gripped the Odia diaspora and other expatriates living there. Amid the worsening situation, Arun Kumar Praharaj, founder of Bahrain Odia Samaj, on Monday appealed to the Union govt and state govt to prepare for a possible large-scale evacuation of Indians.“While we remain hopeful that diplomatic efforts will restore peace, the safety of our community is paramount,” he told TOI over phone from Abu Dhabi. “We are urging the Government of India to keep all options open and finalise a robust ‘Plan-B’ evacuation strategy for the swift and safe return of our citizens should the crisis deepen.”
He said all Odia community members in Bahrain to remain in close contact with the Samaj and strictly follow Bahrain ministry of interior’s safety protocols. “Stay indoors and immediately take shelter when sirens are activated. Keep emergency contacts and identification documents ready,” Praharaj said. In a significant humanitarian gesture, Praharaj shifted eight Odia families and a Tamil medical student from Juffair to his residence on Saturday after the US Navy base in the area came under attack.
