Govt asks Centre to speed up steps to rescue priest Tom Uzhunnalil

Thiruvananthapuram: The State government Thursday asked the Centre to speed up efforts for the rescue of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who has been abducted in war-torn Yemen in March, 2016 by IS terrorist.

State Minister for law A K Balan, replying to a submission in the assembly on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said the government had already asked the Centre to speed up efforts to rescue Father Tom Uzhunnalil, hailing from Ramapuram in Kottayam district.

“It has been confirmed that he was in the captivity of terrorists, but there is no information about the place where he is kept”, Balan said.

He was abducted by IS terrorists from Yemen in March 4, 2016, Balan said.

Kerala Congress (M) supremo K M Mani, who brought the matter in the House, said an all party delegation from Kerala should go to Delhi to exert pressure on the Centre for the rescue of Father Tom Uzhunnalil.

Mani said if necessary, Centre should seek the help of United Nations for his rescue.

The assembly should pass a resolution asking the Centre to view the matter very seriously, he said.