Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, and political and Church leaders have expressed joy and relief at Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil’s release from IS captivity.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Vijayan said Fr. Uzhunnalil’s release was a matter of great joy. Noting that Fr. Uzhunnalil was under treatment in Oman, he said the State government would provide all assistance for his continued treatment and care. “I join the community of the faithful and the society at large in celebrating his safe return,” Mr. Vijayan said.
In his statement, Mr. Chennithala said the whole of Kerala was praying for Fr. Uzhunnalil’s release and safe return for the past one year and more.
The Government at the Centre, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, the last UDF government in Kerala and the present LDF government had done all that they could to get Fr. Uzhunnalil released, he noted.
