External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that all the possible efforts will be made to bring back abducted priest Tom Uzhunnalil, Kerala priest abducted by a terror outfit nearly nine months ago in Yemen.
The statement by the minister came a day after the purported video of the abducted priest was released by the terror outfit.
Sushma Swaraj says India will spare no effort to secure release of abducted priest Tom Uzhunnalil
“If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value…Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating,” priest Tom said in the video.
Sushma Swaraj said that the government value the lives of each Indian and will spare no effort to bring back priest Tom.
“I have seen the video from Father Tom. He is an Indian citizen and the life of every Indian is most precious for us…We got Father Alexis Prem Kumar and Judith D’Souza released from Afghanistan. We have spared no effort and we will spare no effort to secure Father Tom’s release from captivity”, said Sushma Swaraj in the interview.
Vikas Swarup, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson said that the Indian government is in touch with the Saudi Arabian Government as well as the Yemeni authorities for securing the release of Tom Uzhunnalil.
“You are aware of the circumstances currently prevailing in Yemen where fighting is going on with no central authority in that country. With regard to the safe release of Father Tom, who was abducted some months ago, we have been in regular touch with countries in the region, especially Saudi Arabia as also the local Yemeni authorities. Efforts continue in this regard”
Tom Uzhunnalil was abducted in March by ISIS.
