The Hindu : Front Page : “Ensure safe release of hostages”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 29, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

“Ensure safe release of hostages”

Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI: The families of the three offshore oil installation workers abducted in Nigeria have urged the Tamil Nadu and Central governments to take immediate steps to ensure the safe release of the hostages.

The hostages — Jayapaul Ajit Kamaraj (33), Ponnambalam Vinoth (31) and Kumaresan Mohandoss (37) — hail from Vadakkankulam in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

The three were abducted from their crude oil production vessel Mystras on Friday by around 40 unidentified gunmen, who stormed the vessel and captured it. Three others, including Pandurang Tari of Maharashtra and two Polish nationals, were also abducted.

“The rest of the crew, including Michael Generous and Balakrishnan from Vadakkankulam, managed to escape by hiding in the engine room and other places,” said Jayapaul Sudharshan, younger brother of Mr. Kamaraj.

After news of the kidnapping reached Vadakkankulam on Friday evening, the families of the hostages contacted local MP and Union Minister of State for Home V. Radhika Selvi, who informed the Ministry of External Affairs. “The abductors have demanded $50 million as ransom. The Union government should act immediately to ensure the safe release of our people at the earliest,” Mr. Sudharshan said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page