We were treated with respect: K’taka teacher released by IS

HYDERABAD: One of the two Indian teachers from Karnataka, who was kidnapped in Libya allegedly by Islamic State (IS) terror group and released subsequently, on Tuesday said they were treated with respect by the abductors and not tortured in captivity.

Hyderabad, August 4

One of the two Indian teachers from Karnataka, who was kidnapped in Libya allegedly by Islamic State (IS) terror group and released subsequently, on Tuesday said they were treated with respect by the abductors and not tortured in captivity.

Lakshmikant, from Raichur district in Karnataka, arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here.

“...Nobody tortured us...they did not harm...they gave respect,” Lakshmikant told reporters here.

Four Indian teachers working at University of Sirte in Libya, including two from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, were kidnapped in Libya allegedly by the IS while returning to India from Tripoli on July 29.

The Indian government had on July 31 said it had secured the release of two of them — Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar.

“Four of us were together (during captivity). They released me and Vijay Kumar. I have been told that Gopikrishna and Balram are safe. I am requesting them that they too are released,” Lakshmikant said.

Lakshmikant's wife Prathiba, who was among the family members who received him at the airport, said, “We are very happy and proud of the Indian government. We thank each and everybody, media and family friends.”

Vijay Kumar's family hails from Kolar district in Karnataka.

Gopikrishna, an assistant professor at University of Sirte in Libya, is a native of Tekkali in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, while Balram, an English Professor, also works at the same University and hails from Karimnagar district of Telangana.

Lakshmikant further said that one Shaikh, who was among the abductors, had asked him to send him message once he reached India and not to worry about his friends (Gopikrishna and Balram).

Accordingly, Lakshmikant spoke in Arabic to media here to convey the message and requested for release of Gopikrishna and Balram.

Meanwhile, Balram's wife Sridevi said, "It is a good news. I met Lakshmikant. It seems Shaikh had asked him to message or give a phone call as soon as he lands in Hyderabad, so that accordingly these two people (Gopikrishna and Balram) will be released. That's the information Lakshmikant gave me.”

She added that they (abductors) told Lakshmikant that “we are going to release these two people also”. — PTI