SHIMLA: For the past 21 months, Aman Kumar (23) is in the clutches of Somali pirates while parents at Kardial village of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh are knocking at every possible door to seek the release of their son.
The poor parents are worried as the last deadline of 45 days given by the pirates will be over soon. Two days ago, Aman phoned home to inform that now pirates are not giving him enough food and he fears for his life.
Aman had joined MV Albedo Ship of Majestic Enrich Shipping Company of Malaysia as a crew on October 1, 2010 and within two months of joining his ship
having 23 crew on board was hijacked near Kenya by pirates of Somalia.
“My son told me over phone that he is not being given proper food. With no one to help, I am worried about him,” said Pushpa Devi. She said another Indian hostage from Kolkata was killed by pirates.
“We are poor people and don’t have enough money to get our son released as the pirates have demanded a huge sum. We don’t know whom to approach in this hour of crisis,” she said.
Pushpa Devi for the past 21 months is hoping that someone will help for the release of her son. “Had I known that job in a ship is so much dangerous, I would have never allowed him to join. My son was elated with the prospect of good income and had planned so many things for his younger sister. We are now cursing for the day when we allowed him to join this job,” she said.
Aman’s father Kewal Krishan said: “We have sought the help from both Central and state governments to save our son. They are demanding the release of pirates arrested by Indian Navy and one million dollar,” he said.
Krishan said one of the Indian crew from Kolkata has already been killed two months ago while six crew from Pakistan were released on July 31 after the pirates’ demands were met.
Krishan with the help of Nurpur MLA Rakesh Pathania met chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumala couple of days ago and apprised him of the situation through a memorandum. Dhumal told Krishan that the state government is concerned and had written to the Union ministry of external affairs to take up the issue with the embassy of Somalia.
“I have been assured by the chief minister to take up the matter again with the ministry. But I am worried as the deadline given by pirates is getting closer,” said Krishan.
In the past, the couple had written to then President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and several ministers concerned.
This article was posted by Neptune Maritime Security via timesofindia.indiatimes.com. MaritimeSecurity.Asia in cooperation with www.neptunemaritimesecurity.com
