Palampur: A local youth from Himachal Pradesh’s Palampur, Rikshit Chauhan, is among three Indian nationals detained by United States authorities after the US Coast Guard seized an oil tanker in the North Atlantic earlier this week. The vessel, Marinera, previously known as Bella 1, was reportedly operating under the Russian flag and was intercepted on Wednesday.
The tanker had been chartered by a private trader and was allegedly carrying crude oil linked to Venezuela while en route to Russia. At the time of its seizure, the ship had 28 crew members on board, including three Indians, 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians and two Russians. All crew members are currently being held by US authorities as legal and diplomatic procedures continue.
Rikshit’s family, which lives in Ward 7 on the outskirts of Palampur under the Palampur Municipal Corporation, is deeply distressed due to the lack of official information. His father, Ranjit Singh, said the family last spoke to Rikshit about five days ago. Since then, there has been no direct communication. He said neither Indian authorities nor Russian officials have contacted the family so far, adding that the uncertainty has caused immense anxiety about his son’s safety.
Rikshit had joined the Merchant Navy in August last year and was on his first sea assignment. What had been a moment of pride for the family has now turned into fear and concern. Family members said they were informed by a representative of the Merchant Navy Officers Association of India that the Russian government is closely monitoring the situation and has urged the US to ensure humane treatment of all detained crew members. Moscow has also reportedly called for the crew’s rights to be protected and for their early repatriation to their respective home countries.
Meanwhile, local MLA Ashish Butail has reached out to the family and assured them of support. He has written to Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, urging him to take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs to strengthen diplomatic efforts for the early release and safe return of the detained Indian nationals.
The seizure of the tanker has raised broader concerns involving international maritime law, sanctions and the rights of civilian seafarers. Families of the detained crew members continue to wait anxiously for official communication and a humanitarian resolution to the situation.
