Kochi: A day after a video of Father Tom Uzhunnalil pleading for help became viral, the federal Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the authorities were leaving no stones unturned to ensure his safe return.
Father Tom was abducted from Yemen about ten months ago. “I have discussed the matter with minister of state MJ Akbar. He is doing everything in his power to help Father Tom,” said Naqvi after meeting cardinal George Alencherry at the Bishop’s house in Kochi.
Father Thomas Poochakkat, spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar church said that the ministers discussed the issue in the presence of cardinal Alencherry. Extending support to the Union government, the church spokesperson said the Centre’s policy towards minorities cannot be blamed for the failure to secure his release. The Times of India reported.
“We have contacted the Centre several times in the past 10 months and the Union government was never lackadaisical in its approach. Everyone, including external affairs minister Sushama Swaraj has been saying they were doing everything possible for father Tom’s safe return,” said the spokesperson.
“The cardinal has urged the minister to ensure his safe return,” he said. Cardinal Alencherry said: “We don’t even know the source of the video. The government needs to take necessary actions. Vatican does not differentiates between nations. The priest was not accusing the Vatican but urging the Pope to do everything in its power for his release,” he said. The bishop was referring to Father Tom’s statement that if he was a European priest, he would have been taken more seriously by authorities.
Meanwhile, in Kottayam, father Tom’s relatives have started fearing for his life. “His captors have posted a video for the second time. The government needs to hold negotiations effectively. Otherwise, his life will be in real danger,” said a relative. Father Tom’s younger brother Joshy Varghese and his wife who were in the US have arrived at the family’s ancestral home in Ramapuram in the district on Tuesday.
He urged the Union government and the church authorities to intervene in the issue to save his brother. The family members have been holding special prayers for the priest’s safe return ever since his abduction in March. Jose K Mani MP said he contacted the PM’s office after the video was released.