Families of about 40 Indians being held hostage in Iraq meet Sushma Swaraj
Hope remains afloat for families of about 40 Indians being held hostage in Iraq, as long as the ‘well-being’ report comes regularly from Indian diplomat Suresh Reddy from the violence-ridden country. That report is the only source of connection between the Indian Government in New Delhi and the hostages in Mosul, information on whose well-being the diplomats are carefully collecting through ‘various sources’.
So, on Tuesday when the family members of the Indian hostages met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asking her to give proof that their men are alive, it is learnt, she showed them the same reports. This is the fifth time the families have met the Minister since the Indian workers were kidnapped in Mosul in June this year.
“They show us the telegrams, mails and reports sent by Mr Suresh Reddy as a proof of our people being alive, whenever we ask for updates. We are worried. It is nearly five months now. The last I spoke to my brother was in July and there has been no communication since then. We want concrete evidence. But till them this telegram keeps us hopeful,” said Gurbinder Kaur whose brother Manjinder Singh is in captivity.
Sources said the Government, which has activated all its channels for the safe release of the Indian workers, does not want to take any step in haste that sabotages its efforts. It is believed that the militants are taking care of the Indians and there has been no demand for ransom. Official sources said that the Government came several times close to cracking the deal but things get postponed.
“I am aware of the pain and concern that these families have since a lot of time is passing by. In fact, in 1984 I had faced a similar situation when my husband was among the passengers of a flight which as hijacked. Though that ordeal was over in 48 hours in this case it is almost five months now,” Swaraj said. An Indian Airlines plane was hijacked by seven Sikh men in 1984 after Operation Blue Star in Punjab. The plane, which was on a domestic flight from Chandigarh to Srinagar, was diverted through lahore-Karachi to Dubai. All passengers were released unharmed after the intervention of UAE Government.
“There is no one to talk to. But we are getting information on a daily basis that they are being given food etc,” said Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Food Processing, who hails from Punjab. The hostages are largely from Punjab region. Harsmirat accompanied the family members of hostages during their meeting with Swaraj.
Swaraj said her Government is aware through various sources that the captive Indians are alive but these sources too are not in a position to give any proof. “They are alive and are being used as labourers. Hence, there is no reason not to believe them,” the Minister said. She added that she met officials and political heads of the Gulf countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York recently, seeking help.
Assurances by the Minister apart, the families have now asked Government to send another official to replenish the existing set of officials and strengthen efforts to bring back the men. “They understand our plight but want evidence of the men being alive,” said Swaraj.