Haryana asks PM to bring back captive Indian sailors
The Haryana government Thursday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure the safe return of six Indian sailors held by Somali pirates.
The Indians were among 22 crew members of MV Suez, an Egyptian cargo vessel which was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden Aug 2 last year. The pirates have demanded nearly Rs.20 crore for their release.
"Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has called on Manmohan Singh and urged his intervention in this issue," a Haryana government spokesman said. "Manmohan Singh has promised assured of all help of the central government for the release of Indian hostages," he added.
The 22 hostages comprise 11 Egyptians, six Indians (including two from Haryana and one each from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir), four Pakistanis and a Sri Lankan.
They are reportedly living in inhuman conditions and get only boiled rice and fish to eat, according to those negotiating with the pirates. Family members of Ravinder Gulia, 30, one of the hostages and a resident of Haryana's Rohtak town, met Hooda Wednesday.
"Efforts are being made to get the Indian workers released from the Somalian pirates. The whole nation is concerned about their well-being," the chief minister said.
Family members of the hostages plan to meet Manmohan Singh.
