The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, P.J.Kurien, has called for personal interventon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Keralite priest who was taken hostage by militants in Yemen on March 4, 2016.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman said the captivity of Fr. Uzhunnalil was getting prolonged and his family members in Kerala were very much worried over his safety as well as health conditions in the captivity.
The priest was kidnapped by the militants who have stormed his workplace in Yemen, killing 14 people, including four nuns, on that day in 2016.
Prof. Kurien said he was fully convinced of the earnest efforts made by the government resulting in the release of several Indians, who were trapped in many strife-torn places in the Middle East. In Fr. Uzhunnalil’s case too, the government was making serious efforts for his safe release, he said.
Video of the priest
Prof. Kurien said recently a video of Fr Uzhunnal was telecast in the electronic media and the External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, had promptly assured that the government was making all possible efforts in securing his release. He expressed hope that the Prime Minister too would personally intervene in the matter and secure the priest’s release at the earliest.
