No ransom paid for release of Father Uzhunnalil: Govt


Team Udayavani, Sep 13, 2017, 3:29 PM IST

Thiruvananthapuram : The Centre today said no ransom amount was paid to abductors for the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil and underlined that the Ministry of External Affairs “works quietly without noise, but ultimately gets the work done”.

The Keralite priest was abducted by Islamic State terrorists during a deadly attack on a care home in the port city of Aden in war-ravaged Yemen on March 6, 2016. At least 15 people at the old-age home were killed in the attack.

“Release of Father Uzhunnalil yesterday underlines one thing that the Ministry of External Affairs works quietly and without noise, but ultimately gets the work done,” Union Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh told a press conference here.

The Union minister said “no” when asked whether any ransom was paid for the release of the priest.
“We know the type of criticism that had come couple of times when Father Uzhunnalil disappeared in Yeman. We are very happy that he has come back safely and I’m sure people will appreciate that we were able to get him out safe and sound,” Singh added.

On the role played by Oman, Singh said various methods were adopted to tackle a problem. “If a direct method failed to yield results, indirect methods are adopted and the aim is to get the problem solved,” he said. Asked whether Uzhunnanlil contacted any Indian officials to thank the government following his release, Singh said, “I’m quite sure that he will do it after he gets back from the Vatican.”

It was for the priest to decide when he would come to India, Singh said responding to a question. A video of Uzhunnalil had surfaced in December last year in which he appealed to the government to free him. In the clip, Uzhunnalil was seen saying, “If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I’m from India. I’m perhaps not considered of much value.”

In July, Union minister Sushma Swaraj had taken up the the issue of Uzhunnalil’s abduction with the Deputy Prime Minister of Yemen and requested him to secure the release of the priest. Last year, Swaraj had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries so that the the priest could be released.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

FSSAI directs online platforms to deliver food items with minimum 45 day shelf life

Maharashtra Elections | PM Modi has eliminated terrorism, Naxalism; Article 370 not coming back: Amit Shah

India successfully test-fires long-range cruise missile

COP29: UN climate chief calls for urgent climate action to counter economic fallout, inflation

Time to make changes in ‘land grabber’ Waqf Board, says Amit Shah at Jharkhand rally

Cong releases manifesto for J’khand polls, promises caste-based census, free power

35 killed, 43 injured as driver hits crowd in Chinese city

Related Articles More

FSSAI directs online platforms to deliver food items with minimum 45 day shelf life

Maharashtra Elections | PM Modi has eliminated terrorism, Naxalism; Article 370 not coming back: Amit Shah

Ayodhya: Security beefed up around Ram Temple after ‘threat’ by pro-Khalistan leader Pannun

India successfully test-fires long-range cruise missile

Man accidentally steps onto fellow rail passenger’s bag containing matchboxes, friction causes fire in coach

MUST WATCH

Punganur Cow

Rangoli design

Jagadeesh Nagaraj Kudupali Audio Viral

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali


Latest Additions

FSSAI directs online platforms to deliver food items with minimum 45 day shelf life

Maharashtra Elections | PM Modi has eliminated terrorism, Naxalism; Article 370 not coming back: Amit Shah

Ayodhya: Security beefed up around Ram Temple after ‘threat’ by pro-Khalistan leader Pannun

India successfully test-fires long-range cruise missile

Blind T20 WC: Indian team eyes clearance from MHA, MEA; Sports Ministry clears travel to Pakistan

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.