Soon after a video of abducted Indian priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil surfaced on social media, showing him in a pitiable condition, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the Indian Government is making all efforts to secure his release. Making a statement in lok Sabha on Wednesday, Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen where India does not have an Embassy of its own. However, the EAM added that the government is trying to verify the authenticity of the new video and images of the priest.
“Abduction of Father Tom Uzhunnalil is a matter of grave concern for us. Yemen is a war-torn country. We do not have Embassy there but we are looking for ways to reach him. Not only me, but the Prime Minister during his overseas visits has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established with Yemen,” the minister said in response to questions raised by MPs from Kerala.
While asking the MPs to have faith in the government’s efforts to trace the abducted priest, she underlined that it takes more time to secure release of the people who are held captive. “It is taking time, but keep faith on us... We bring back stranded people fast, but it takes time to bring back those who are held captive. We will bring back Fr Tom Uzhunnalil,” Swaraj said.
Father Uzhunnalil was abducted in March by ISIS members following an attack on an old-age home run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people at the home were killed in the attack and Father Uzhunnalil was taken away by his abductors. While there were several unconfirmed reports about Father Uzhunnalil being killed on Good Friday, the Indian Government maintained that he was possibly alive as there was no proof of his death.
The latest video circulating on social media shows ISIS terrorists mercilessly beating a blind folded, frail looking Father Uzhunnalil. The video was posted on the priest’s Facebook page and his friends were tagged to it.
“A new picture of him in captivity has emerged along with a video of him being blind folded and beaten. The captors had the audacity to post it on his Facebook page and also tag his friends and family as well. It has since been removed. He looks tired and weak,” one of the friends of Father Uzhunnalil posted on his FB page.