Charge d’ affaires in Baghdad, Kedar Singh, said, “We are issuing passports to the group today, after which they can begin their journey back to India. But even after the passports are issued, it will be an uphill journey for them. They will have to obtain Iraqi exit permits to leave the country. After this, they have to obtain Iranian visas, which they will get from the Iranian consulate here in Karbala. After this, the ladies will make their way to Tehran by road.’’

Regarding tickets for their flight back to India, he said: “There is no need to get new tickets, as they already have tickets from Tehran. They will just have to get duplicate tickets, as the originals have been stolen.’’

However, in east Godavari, Beig’s eldest son Abbas

Ali said: “We have not received information from anyone in the government telling us when our mothers will arrive and what is happening in Iraq.’’