New Delhi, Dec 27: External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday that the government will spare no effort to secure the release of Indian Catholic priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil from his captors.
Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was allegedly abducted by the ISIS from Yemen earlier this year. In a video which was uploaded on social media, the emaciated priest can be seen appealing to Pope Francis and the Indian government to rescue him.
The EAM cited how the government had safely brought back Father Alex Prem Kumar and social worker Judith D'Souza after they'd been kidnapped in Afghanistan.
"We got Father Alex Prem Kumar and Judith D'Souza released from Afghanistan. We have spared no effort," wrote Swaraj on Twitter.
Yesterday, the Union government said efforts are being made to secure Uzhunnalil's release, but such attempts take time.
In the video, Father Uzhunnalil claimed that his captors have made contact with the Government of India on several occasions but so far, the authorities have taken no steps to free him.
"I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard. Reports have been there in the news that everything is being done to release me quickly. But in reality nothing seems to have happened," the priest said.
I have seen the video from Fr Tom. He is an Indian citizen and the life of every Indian is most precious for us. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 27, 2016
We have spared no effort and we will spare no effort to secure Fr Tom's release from captivity. /3
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 27, 2016
We got Fr Alex Prem Kumar and Judith D'Souza released from Afghanistan. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 27, 2016
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