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Expedite abducted priest’s rescue: Kin

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the photo and video clipping of abducted Catholic priest Tom Uzunnanil surfaced on social media, relatives pleaded the Union government

Published on: Jul 21, 2016, 09:43:00 IST
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the photo and video clipping of abducted Catholic priest Tom Uzunnanil surfaced on social media, relatives pleaded the Union government on Wednesday to expedite measures to get him released.

HT Image
HT Image

The issue also figured in Parliament and the external affairs ministry said it was verifying veracity of latest posts.

The priest, who hails from Pala in Kottayam, was abducted on March 4 when members of a terror group stormed an old age home run by Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. Sixteen persons, including four nuns were killed in the attack.

“The weary photo almost looks like his. We don’t have any mechanism to cross-check this either. We are relieved to hear that he is alive,” his brother Mathew Uzunnanil said.

Special prayers were held in his village in Ramapuram. “We are hoping against the hope,” said another relative of the priest, TC Mathew.

In the photo, the priest with an overgrown beard looks fragile and weary putting both his hands on his chest.

“Besides the photo, an old video clipping is also doing rounds in social media. It is really disturbing. Blind-folded, he’s getting thrashed by unknown assailants,” said another relative.

It is not clear who posted the video and photo on social sites.

  • Ramesh Babu
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Ramesh Babu

    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

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