Indians airlifted to Mumbai from Cairo

Over 300 Indians, airlifted from violence-hit Cairo, reached Mumbai on Monday afternoon.

As the crisis in Egypt enters the seventh day, the Indian government arranged a special Air India flight to bring back home around 320 Indians from the conflict affected nation on Monday.

The 747 Boeing aircraft mostly brought back women, children and stranded tourists.

?The Embassy of India in Cairo is in touch with members of the Indian community, who are reported to be safe. There are about 3600 People of Indian Origin (PIO) in Egypt, of which some 2200 are in Cairo,? said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Earlier on Sunday, India voiced its concern over the developments in Egypt and hoped for a peaceful solution even as fighter jets flew low over Cairo as protesters demonstrated in the capital city.

In an official statement, MEA said, “We are closely following with concern, the developments in Egypt.”

“India has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. We hope for an early and peaceful solution of the situation without further violence and loss of lives,” the MEA said.

Meanwhile, the situation continued to be volatile in the Arab nation as fighter jets flew low over thousands of protesters who took to the street challenging a state-imposed curfew in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Embattled president Hosni Mubarak on Saturday named Omar Suleiman, Egypt?s military intelligence chief, as his deputy in a move that has so far failed to incite a positive response from the frenetic protesters on the streets demanding reforms.

The country continued to be rocked by violence as Mubarak?s move to dismiss his cabinet and call out the army to control the situation was not taken very well by the people who took to the streets defying the curfew orders.

“Go, Mubarak go” slogan rent the air in the Egyptian cities as the country joined other Arab nations like Tunisia and Yemen in anti-government protests.