PM Narendra Modi replies to CM Jayalalithaa letter about Priest's abduction in Afghanistan

Chennai: In yet another indication of thawing relationship between the Centre and state government, the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s office has finally received a reply from Prime Minster after a long time, sources close to the chief minister said.

“Our CM has been regularly sending missives to the PM’s office since she has taken charge three years ago on a wide range of issues ranging from the arrest of TN fishermen, petroleum and diesel price hikes and various other contentions matters facing the state. But, barring one or two rare occasions, we have never received a response from New Delhi. This letter of assurance from Mr Modi is a refreshing change for all of us here,” a senior official in the state administration said.

In his response, Modi said that he would personally look into the matter. “I too am deeply concerned by the abduction of Father Alexis Prem Kumar in the Herat province of Afghanistan and authorities in Heart are taking every possible step to ensure the early release of Fr Prem Kumar. Our ambassador in Kabul has been in regular touch with the President’s Office and the security agencies,” Modi said in his reply dated June 5.

He also said that the PM’s national security adviser had spoken to his Afghan counterpart who has assured full and sustained efforts by the Afghan government to seek Fr. Prem Kumar’s release.

“This is an extremely delicate situation and our primary concern at this stage is to ensure that the integrity of the ongoing efforts for Fr. Prem Kumar’s release and that he does not come to harm,” Modi said in his missive.

Jesuit Alexis Prem Kumar (47), a native of Devakottai in Sivangagai district, was abducted from a school for refugees that he was visiting in Sohadat village, about 25 kilometers from Herat on June 2 and his whereabouts remain unknown.