JOIN USVijayan, one of the two Indian sailors who were released from detention in the western African country of Togo, arrived in Kochi on Friday to an emotional welcome from his family and friends.
The sailor, along with Captain Sunil James and other crew members, was arrested in July for allegedly aiding pirates during an attack.
He said that the Prime Minister’s Office and India’s High Commissioner in Ghana helped their release. He, however, said no support was extended by the Kerala government or union ministers from the state, though his family made formal requests for help.
Fax messages were sent to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Defence Minister A K Antony and Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, but there had been no response, Vijayan told reporters at the Cochin International Airport.