Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly on Thursday that he would request Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person for intervention by the Centre to secure the release of priest Tom Uzhunnalil from Kerala who was abducted by terrorists in the strife-torn Yemen last year.
Expressing concern over the delay in getting the priest released, he said the government would convey the seriousness of the situation to the Prime Minister. Replying to a calling attention moved by Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani in the House, he said the government was seized of the plight of Father Uzhunnalil and had sent a memorandum to the Centre seeking intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs.
“I will take up the issue with the Prime Minister during my meeting with him in New Delhi,” he assured the House, pointing out that the State had limitations in initiating rescue efforts in another country.
Citing reports, he said the priest, who had been abducted from an old-age home run by the Missionaries of Charity on March 4, 2016, was in the custody of IS terrorists but his whereabouts were not known.
Moving the motion, Mr. Mani called on the State government to step up pressure on the Centre to ensure the release of the abducted priest.
He said the Centre should be urged to seek UN assistance for the rescue effort. Mr. Mani mooted the idea of an all-party delegation from the State to take up the issue with the Centre.
Backing the motion, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala also highlighted the need to step up efforts for the release of Father Uzhunnalil.
