By IANS,
Chennai : Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s efforts resulted in the repatriation of 21 people stranded for over seven months in Malaysia and their homeward journey to Cuddalore district Thursday, an official statement said.
“The 21 persons who returned home Wednesday after suffering for over 7 months in Malaysia are happily on their way to their residences in Cuddalore district after monetary help to the tune of Rs.210,000 was accorded to the affected persons today (Thursday) from the chief minister’s relief fund,” the statement said.
According to the press communiqué, the matter was brought to Karunanidhi’s notice by Pon Kumar, a local politician who recently came across the suffering people in Malaysia.
“Karunanidhi sought the help… of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and did the needful within two hours to help those stranded return home. The victims had embarked upon a trip to Australia but were offloaded enroute. During the interregnum they stayed in temples with the help of locals,” the statement added.
The returnees met Karunanidhi at the secretariat to thank him, officials said.