The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Condemn the Killing of Three Indian Seafarers, Demand Accountability
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the killing of three Indian seafarers in the attack on the oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf region. This tragic incident is yet another consequence of the reckless and aggressive military interventions carried out by US Imperialism in West Asia, which continue to destabilize the region, threaten international peace, and endanger the lives of innocent civilians and workers.
The deceased Indian seafarers Aditya Sharma, Shivanand Chaurasia, and Patanala Suresh, were civilian seafarers performing their professional duties. They were not combatants and had no role in any military or geopolitical conflict.
The CPI(M) extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expresses solidarity with seafarers and maritime workers across the world who are increasingly becoming victims of military adventurism and geopolitical power struggles.
Reports from Forward Seamen’s Union of India, an affiliate of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, indicate that MT Settebello, carrying a large number of Indian crew members, was attacked while sailing near the Strait of Hormuz. This attack follows other incidents involving merchant vessels operating in the region and demonstrates the growing insecurity facing civilian shipping.
The CPI(M) condemns the BJP-led union government’s shameful silence and refusal to clearly identify and condemn those responsible for the attack. The CPI(M) demands that the Indian government must unequivocally condemn the attack, demand accountability for the deaths of Indian citizens, and take all necessary diplomatic measures to ensure the safety and protection of Indian seafarers working in conflict-prone regions.