Contrary to the news in foreign media that the Indian priest abducted by gunmen in Yemen last month was killed, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, reportedly, told a Catholic group that Father Tom Uzhunnalil is safe and the Indian Government is trying to ensure his release soon.
Father Uzhunnalil was captured from Aden in Yemen by gunmen, believed to be from ISIS, when they attacked a old age home run by Missionaries of Charity. They had killed 15 people, including one Indian nun and taken away Father Uzhunnalil in a car.
However, some news reports by foreign media claimed that Father Uzhunnalil was possibly killed by ISIS on Good Friday, though the Indian Government doubted such claims. While the foreign media had quoted Archbishop of Vienna, who during the Easter Vigil Mass made the announcement, Indian officials said there was no proof that the Indian priest was dead or was in ISIS custody. Officials said India was trying to locate him and secure his release at the earliest.
On Sunday, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) said their delegation that met Swaraj was assured by her that the Government was working to secure the priest’s safe return. “She has assured us Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon,” said Father Joseph Chinnaiyan, deputy secretary of the CBCI.
Meanwhile, four Indians detained by Syria have been released. These four men were arrested in Damascus in January when they were allegedly on their way to join ISIS. The Syrian Deputy Prime Minister during his recent visit to New Delhi had informed about the detention to Swaraj.
“We have secured the release of four Indian nationals from Syria,” Swaraj said in a tweet. “I had requested (the) Deputy PM of Syria for their release during his visit to India in January this year. Thank you Syria… Welcome home Arun Kumar Saini, Sarvjit Singh, Kuldeep Singh and Joga Singh. I appreciate the officers who facilitated their journey from Syria to India,” said in another tweet.