For 26-year-old Ambuj, an Indian seafarer stranded at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, the “new normal” involves a constant, haunting hum of fighter jets, and a terrifying new skill of identifying drones from the deck of his merchant vessel. Ambuj is just one of hundreds of Indian nationals working on various vessels across the wider Gulf region who now find themselves on the frontlines of a conflict ever since the US and Israel attacked Iran, and the latter retaliated.. Smoke emerging from a cargo vessel, as filmed from another vessel, just north of Dubai. (Photo via AFP). Also read | Trump says China, UK, others will ‘hopefully’ send warships to keep Strait of Hormuz ‘open and safe’. “We know how dangerous it could be to sail without a navy escort or without permission,” Ambuj told news agency Reuters, describing a state of high alert that has lasted for over a fortnight.. His crew first panicked in early March when their captain received a wireless warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating that any attempt to pass through the Strait of Hormuz would have “consequences”.. “I have not been home for six months and cannot wait to see my family,” Ambuj said, currently waiting alongside 15 other crew members and 50 other ships for a safe passage that remains elusive.. “The company I work for has released us from duty and we are now waiting for safe passage because flights from Tehran are not operating. If we get clearance to sail to the Middle East or anywhere nearby, we will dock there and take the earliest flight home,” he said.. M Kanta, stationed on another India-bound ship, described how the crew’s “hearts sink” every time a drone or fighter jet passes overhead. This reached a breaking point when Iranian authorities ordered the crew’s Starlink internet service to be disconnected.. Also read | Oil ship Shenlong’s such a long journey to India via Hormuz Strait: Gone dark, fear lurked. For several days, the sailors were cut off from their families and verified news, left only with the sounds of sirens and the sight of fire on distant ships. Though the internet service was restored after March 6, the atmosphere remains grim. Another crewman, who did not want to be named and whose ship is carrying bitumen and crude, recalled the moment he saw a nearby vessel hit by a drone just a few nautical miles from the Strait.. “Sleeping is hard. There is a lot of anxiety,” he said, “One hobby these days is identifying planes, jets or drones we can spot from the ship.”. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that five Indians have lost their lives and one remains missing in the ongoing West Asia conflict.. Against this backdrop of fear, a breakthrough occurred on Saturday morning. The Indian government confirmed that two India-bound liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier ships — the Shivalik and the Nanda Devi — successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz.. The vessels, which were chartered by the Indian O 

 Chennai, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Saturday lashed out at the DMK government over the law and order situation, stating that it has become a “laughing stock” during the last five years in Tamil Nadu.. AMMK general secy Dhinakaran slams ruling DMK over L&O. There is not a day without murders and robberies in the state, he said in a letter to his partymen, commemorating the 9th anniversary of his party Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.. He also slammed the DMK government alleging corruption and irregularities have piled up like a mountain under its regime.. “In the last five years since the DMK took office, law and order has become a laughing stock to the extent that one can say there is not a day without murders and robberies. From the bottom level of government administration to senior ministers, complaints of corruption and irregularities have piled up like a mountain,” he said.. The DMK government has accumulated ₹5 lakh crore as debt in the last 5 years and made Tamil Nadu secure first place among the states with highest debt in India, he claimed.. “Formally established on March 15, 2018 in Madurai, by lakhs of our partymen, our movement is being led forward on account of your hard work and dedication,” he said in the letter to the cadres.. Stressing that the path and journey of his party are those of the late former Chief Ministers C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran, he said, “Victory is not a goal to be reached one day and forgotten the next day. It is a continuous journey”.. Dhinakaran further said to re-establish the good governance of MGR and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, ‘Let us all work on the field with unity and coordination within the National Democratic Alliance .’. “Through the forthcoming Assembly polls, let us permanently send home the DMK which is tormenting the people with its three policies deception, cheating and betrayal,” he said.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from the central jail in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur on Saturday, six months after he was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting violence in Ladakh.. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk walks free after home ministry’s release decision (PTI). An official said Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, received him as he walked free hours after the Union home ministry revoked his detention. After the paperwork, Wangchuk left with Angmo in a private vehicle around 1pm.. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, received him as he walked free. (Sourced). Wangchuk, 59, was accused of misleading people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protests. The Union home ministry revoked his detention with “immediate effect,” citing the need to facilitate “constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.”. The release came days before the Supreme Court is set to hear on March 17 a habeas corpus petition of Angmo over the activist’s incarceration under the 1980 law, which allows detention for up to 12 months without trial.. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, two days after the protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh turned violent, leaving four people dead and 45 injured. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also launched a preliminary inquiry against an institute that Wangchuk founded.. On February 25, activists staged a demonstration in Jodhpur seeking Wangchuk’s release, prompting police to put up barricades on the road leading to the Central Jail.. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot welcomed Wangchuk’s release but said the episode raised serious questions about the functioning of the Narendra Modi-led government. In a post on X, Gehlot said it was ironic that Wangchuk, who once supported Modi’s policies, was sent to Jodhpur jail under the stringent NSA when he raised his voice for Ladakh’s rights and environmental protection.. Gehlot questioned how a person described as a threat to national security a few months ago could suddenly be released now. He wondered whether this meant there was no evidence against him.. Gehlot asked who would account for the 170 days Wangchuk spent in detention and why he was arrested in the first place. He questioned whether the political interests of the ruling party determined the definition of national security.. Gehlot said such “convenient use of laws with an authoritarian mindset” was condemnable and a serious blow to the credibility of democratic institutions. He added that the people were watching these double standards. 

 Amid growing public concern over fuel availability during the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, the petroleum ministry on Saturday issued an advisory urging citizens not to panic-buy petrol or diesel.. ‘Do not take petrol in loose containers’: Govt issues safety advisory as fuel fears grow (Representative image). In a statement, the petroleum and natural gas ministry said that fuel supplies across the country remain stable and sufficient. “Petrol and diesel are adequately available at retail outlets across the country,” the ministry said, advising consumers not to take or store fuel in loose or inappropriate containers as it could pose serious safety risks.. The ministry reiterated that all petrol pumps have adequate availability of petrol and diesel, and warned that any violation of safety rules at retail outlets would invite strict action.. Safety rules tightened at petrol pumps. The advisory came after authorities found a violation at a fuel station in Tamil Nadu, another statement added.. “It has come to notice that at one retail outlet in Tamil Nadu, petrol was being taken in a loose container, which is unsafe and not advisable,” the ministry said, again urging consumers not to store petrol or other fuels in loose or unsuitable containers due to the risk involved.. The ministry added that the petrol pump involved has already been penalised. “The concerned petrol pump has been suspended, and appropriate action has been taken,” it said, stressing that all retail outlets and dealers have been instructed to strictly follow safety guidelines while dispensing fuel.. Energy minister assures no shortage of fuel. Amid speculation about supply disruptions due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, earlier on Thursday, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri also sought to calm concerns in Parliament.. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Puri gave a “full” assurance that India is not facing any fuel shortage.. “There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil,” he said, adding that “the availability of petrol, diesel, aviation and fuel oil is fully assured.”. Puri acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has created an unprecedented global situation, but said India would manage the consequences.. “What the world is going through currently is something it has not faced in history,” the minister said, adding that India has no role in the conflict but must still navigate its consequences.. According to the minister, India has been able to secure enough crude oil supplies despite the disruption.. Puri credited diplomatic outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring the country’s energy security. He said India had secured crude oil volumes that “exceed what the disrupted Strait could have delivered in the same period.”. LPG supply concerns. The minister also addressed reports of cooking gas shortages affecting restaurants in some parts of the country.. Seeking to re 

 Amid growing public concern over fuel availability during the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, the petroleum ministry on Saturday issued an advisory urging citizens not to panic-buy petrol or diesel.. ‘Do not take petrol in loose containers’: Govt issues safety advisory as fuel fears grow (Representative image). In a statement, the petroleum and natural gas ministry said that fuel supplies across the country remain stable and sufficient. “Petrol and diesel are adequately available at retail outlets across the country,” the ministry said, advising consumers not to take or store fuel in loose or inappropriate containers as it could pose serious safety risks.. The ministry reiterated that all petrol pumps have adequate availability of petrol and diesel, and warned that any violation of safety rules at retail outlets would invite strict action.. Safety rules tightened at petrol pumps. The advisory came after authorities found a violation at a fuel station in Tamil Nadu, another statement added.. “It has come to notice that at one retail outlet in Tamil Nadu, petrol was being taken in a loose container, which is unsafe and not advisable,” the ministry said, again urging consumers not to store petrol or other fuels in loose or unsuitable containers due to the risk involved.. The ministry added that the petrol pump involved has already been penalised. “The concerned petrol pump has been suspended, and appropriate action has been taken,” it said, stressing that all retail outlets and dealers have been instructed to strictly follow safety guidelines while dispensing fuel.. Energy minister assures no shortage of fuel. Amid speculation about supply disruptions due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, earlier on Thursday, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri also sought to calm concerns in Parliament.. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Puri gave a “full” assurance that India is not facing any fuel shortage.. “There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil,” he said, adding that “the availability of petrol, diesel, aviation and fuel oil is fully assured.”. Puri acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has created an unprecedented global situation, but said India would manage the consequences.. “What the world is going through currently is something it has not faced in history,” the minister said, adding that India has no role in the conflict but must still navigate its consequences.. According to the minister, India has been able to secure enough crude oil supplies despite the disruption.. Puri credited diplomatic outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring the country’s energy security. He said India had secured crude oil volumes that “exceed what the disrupted Strait could have delivered in the same period.”. LPG supply concerns. The minister also addressed reports of cooking gas shortages affecting restaurants in some parts of the country.. Seeking to re