Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed cabinet secretary Ajit Seth to do everything in his ability to save the lives of 42 Indian seamen being held hostage by Somalian pirates.
“The PM has directed the cabinet secretary to urgently address the issue,” said Congress MP PC Chacko, who led a delegation of MPs to meet Singh. In Rajya Sabha, members sought immediate steps by the government. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the government has been delaying steps to ensure their release. Chandrasekhar said the owner of the ship was now negotiating with the pirates – but there was “delay on the part of government”.