The Times of India
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
KOCHI: The Centre may consider a proposal to release some Somali pirates detained by India for getting the release of seven Indians being held captive by them since September 28, 2010.
"There appears to be no other solution to the hostage crisis, and Centre is actively considering this," chief minister Oommen Chandy said here after talks with external affairs minister S M Krishna on Monday.
The ship, MV Asphalt Venture, which was hijacked by pirates from Kenyan waters, was later released after the owners paid ransom. Eight crewmen were also released then. But the pirates held seven officers, including two Keralites, on board. However, it is not clear where the Indian hostages are being kept.
The chief minister had been taking up the issue with the Centre even when he was the leader of the Opposition. He had supported Mercy George, wife of one of the hostages, George Joseph from Koothattukulam, in taking up the case with various authorities. Mercy and her daughter had pleaded with Krishna also to intervene in the case.
The external affairs minister said the Centre had been taking various steps to contain the scourge of piracy.
Source: The Times of India