In the absence of any government in Yemen, India says it is reaching out to other regional countries like Saudi Arabia and local Yemeni authorities to reach Indian Catholic priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil, held captive by Islamists in Yemen since early 2016.

After a new video of Father Tom surfaced, which appealed to the Indian government and the Church for help to secure his release, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said India was continuing with efforts to secure his release. “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.”

But obviously the Indian efforts have fallen short, largely because of the state of instability prevailing in Yemen. The country has been a battleground between the Iran-supported Houthis and the Saudi Arabia supported government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, which has claimed over 7000 lives so far.

Father Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian national was abducted on March 4 when four militants attacked a Missionaries of Charity-run retirement home in Aden, the provincial capital of Yemen, killing 16 people, including four Missionary of Charity nuns. While no one actually knows who is behind the kidnapping, it is believed the captors are either al-Qaida or IS-allied groups. In April, there was an international outcry when reports said Father Tom would be crucified on Good Friday. But that report came to nothing.

A few months ago, a delegation of Catholic Bishops met foreign minister Sushma Swaraj to seek help. A statement issued at the time said Father Tom was safe and the Indian government was trying to secure his release. A statement by the bishops said, “The Honourable Minister further said that the details of the negotiations and the technicalities involved in the negotiations cannot be divulged now, as it would endanger the process of the release itself.”

Meanwhile, the government was successful in getting the release of Sister Reema, the only surviving nun in the retirement home.

 

source: indiatimes