Govt urged to take steps to rescue 21 missing Indian seafarers

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) The Centre has been urged to take immediate steps to rescue 21 Indian seafarers who went missing in the high seas in October last year.

The Hasan Marine Foundation has urged the Union Government to take immediate action to rescue nine Indian sailors reported missing in the Jupiter-6 incident and 12 others.

''The mystery of 21 hijacked seafarers requires immediate government attention. Although the Government has appointed the Director General of Shipping as welfare officer and caretaker of matters related to the missing ship, the authorities are simply providing lip services, and shift responsibility to other agencies,'' HMF foundation president Zaheer Zaidi said in a statement here.

Stating that high sea crimes were increasing at an alarming rate, Mr Zaidi said, ''our government is unable to curb and contain it.

Thirteen Indian seafarers lost their lives in high seas in the second fortnight of October last year.

And, now 21 seafarers are reported missing. We request government to take immediate and appropriate action to rescue them otherwise they will become part fo history like the above mentioned 13 seafarers.'' UNI AR VD HS1510