Kin of Slain Indian Seafarers Seek UN Help, Compensation, Government Jobs

Relatives of Indian seafarers killed in attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday urged the Union Government to file an official petition with the United Nations over the deaths and seek compensation for the bereaved families from the United States and Iran.

The families, speaking at a press conference organised by the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), alleged that the companies owning the ships where the seafarers worked had kept them uninformed about the attacks and subsequent deaths.

Among those present were Patnala Bhargavi, wife of Patnala Suresh, a marine engineer from Visakhapatnam killed in an attack on the oil tanker MT Settebello off the Oman coast on June 10; Rajesh Sharma, father of Aditya Sharma, another seafarer killed in the same incident; and Ajay Chaurasia, uncle of Shivanand Chaurasia, also killed. Rishi Tandon, father-in-law of Heramb Karmakar, a Pune-based marine engineer killed after the merchant vessel GFX Galaxy was attacked near Oman, also attended.

Former MP and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) general secretary Elamaram Kareem and CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan, who attended the press conference, alleged that the Union Government is ignoring concerns of Indian seafarers. They urged the Government to initiate diplomatic dialogues to stop attacks on Indian-crewed commercial vessels.

FSUI general secretary Manoj Yadav said more than 15,000 Indian seafarers are currently working on ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz, calling their safety a grave concern. “More than 11 Indian seafarers have lost their lives while performing their duties on commercial vessels in recent months. Their families have been left abandoned, dependent on inadequate company compensation that is yet to be received,” he said.

“Our own Government has failed to adequately recognise the supreme sacrifice of these brave Indian seafarers. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense, and similar threats are now emerging in the Black Sea due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with risks spreading to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait,” he added, stating that the Government of India has not raised a strong enough voice against these killings or ensured justice for the families.

The FSUI and the bereaved families demanded that the Union Government immediately petition the United Nations against the killing of Indian seafarers and demand guaranteed freedom of safe navigation in international waters. They also demanded “adequate compensation of not less than $5 million per family from the United States and Iran (or responsible parties).” Additionally, they urged Central and State Governments to provide substantial support, including ex gratia payment of ₹1 crore per family, a government job on compassionate grounds for one dependent of each deceased seafarer, and recognition of those killed as martyrs.