CM Pinarayi Vijayan to take up Father Tom Uzhunnalil's case with PM Narendra Modi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly on Thursday that he would take up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the issue of Father Tom Uzhunnalil who was abducted by terrorists from Yemen on March 4, 2016. Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani had raised the issue in a calling-attention motion. Chief minister said that the state government had already written to the external affairs ministry and the prime minister seeking steps to release Father Tom.

“The state wrote to the centre first on April 25, 2016. But there was no response to it. Again on February 27 this year, the state wrote to the external affairs ministry. On March 14, I myself wrote to the prime minister,” the chief minister said and added that since it was an international matter, the state government had limitations in directly intervening. Mr. Mani said that from the video footage released by the abductors, the condition of Father Tom seemed to be worsening.

Hence, the centre should even seek the intervention of the UN for his rescue. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala also urged the chief minister to personally take up the matter with the PM. Mr P.C. George, Independent, said that the abductors were reportedly demanding ransom and hence the state government should make arrangements to secure the safe release of the priest.