India, March 6 -- justify;">The Punjab government has set up a 24x7 helpline and deployed senior officials to coordinate assistance for Punjabis stranded in the Middle East amid the ongoing crisis in the region.

According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the move was taken on the directions of chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to ensure a safe and smooth return of residents of Punjab stuck in affected countries.

Additional director general of police R K Jaiswal has been appointed overall in-charge of the helpline, while Vimal Setia, secretary in the department of home affairs, has been designated as the nodal officer to coordinate and monitor the process.

The nodal officer will remain in constant contact with the Ministry ...