For the family of Rev. Alexis Premkumar, the news of his release came from none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr. Modi called Rev. Premkumar’s father, A.S.M. Anthony, to convey that his son was safe. Since the elderly man could not converse in English or Hindi, his son and daughter spoke to the PM and thanked him for the government’s efforts to secure the release of Rev. Kumar.
Delighted at securing the release of Indian Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar from captivity in Afghanistan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >February 22, 2015Speaking to The Hindu before taking a flight to New Delhi from here on Sunday, Fr. Rev. Kumar’s brother, John Joseph said: “We are very grateful to Mr. Modi for his efforts in the release of my brother from Afghanistan. The PM spoke to my father and assured him that Alexis was safe.”
“For eight months, we worried about him. We thank former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister for ensuring his return to India,” Mr. Anthony said.
