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Hostages safe, says
Ahamed; MEA mum New Delhi, August 16 Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, when contacted by The Tribune in the evening as the Iraq hostage crisis entered the 27th day today, came up with a one-liner: "I have nothing to tell you today." Asked if the hostages were safe, the minister replied in the affirmative. "KGL (the Kuwaiti employer company of the three Indian, three Kenyan and one Egyptian truck drivers held hostage in Iraq) has informed our embassy in Kuwait that the hostages are safe," he said. On whether the negotiations had resumed between KGL and some new authorised representative on behalf of the abductors, Mr Ahamed said: "Wait till tomorrow." The minister politely declined to take any further questions on the subject and advised patience. The matter was raised in the Lok Sabha by Mr Suresh Chandel (BJP) during zero hour and he urged the government to take steps to secure the release of the hostages. He informed the House that friends and relatives of two of the captives, Tilak Raj and
Antaryami, were on hunger strike for the past few days.
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Hostage’s family turns to gods Morinda/Una, August 16 Sukhdev’s family members called Kesar Singh from Jalandhar to perform religious rites at their house at Makrona Kala, about 12 km from Morinda. Sukhdev’s family members, along with a number of villagers, took part in the religious rites performed by Kesar Singh. He said Sukhdev was going through bad times because of the negative effect of “kal sarp yog”. Speaking to The Tribune, Sukhdev’s brother Harvinder said they were not left with many options, and so they had to turn to religion for solace. Even after so many days, things did not work out and government talks with the militants had not resumed, he rued. “Since Sukhdev has been held hostage by the militants, none of the family members have gone out of the house. We have been spending most of the time watching television for latest update about Sukhdev” added Harvinder. He added that the crisis had left them helpless. The villagers were taking care of their cattle, agriculture land and household work. Harvinder said that after a long time, SDM Ropar visited their house yesterday and ensured the government would provide them with all possible help. The family members of Antaryami continued their silent protest today at Dehlan village in Una district against the authorities concerned blaming that no one seemed to be serious about Antaryami’s release. The chain fast, that began with, Antaryami’s father Ram
Murti, mother Bhago Devi and sister Harjinder Kaur, along with three other relatives was joined by six other villagers today. They complained that “More than week has passed, but talks with the militants have not been resumed yet. The only way to pressurise the government is by observing a silent protest”.  |
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KGL man speaks to Antaryami’s family New Delhi, August 16 The KGL, which is employer of the Indians held hostage, told the members that all efforts were being made to secure the release of the kidnapped Indians. The KGL representative appealed to the members, who are on a relay fast, to give up their agitation.
— TNS |
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