495 Indian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates in 4yrs: Govt
Source: IANS
New Delhi: The government today said 495 Indian sailors were held hostages by the Somali pirates in last four years, and barring 64, all of them have been released safely.
These 64 sailors, who are still to be rescued, were crew members of 6 ships -- MV Iceberg-I, MV Rak Afrikana, MV Suez, MV Asphalt Venture, MV Savina Caylyn, and MV Sinin -- that were high jacked by the pirates in last one year, the Shipping Ministry said in a statement.
It added that all of them have been reported safe. The statement further said that two foreign flag ships -- MV Savina Caylyn, and MV Sinin--, having 26 Indians as crew members, were high jacked this year, in January and February respectively.
Talking about the increasing attacks by the pirates, the statement said none of the Indian ships have got high jacked in last four years, although seven had come under attack by the pirates of the Somalia coast between 2007 to 2011.
It added that 200 Indian seafarers were held hostage on board foreign flag ships during the same period. In addition to this, the pirates managed to capture about 20 Indian MSVs (Motor support vessels) and 295 sailors on board these MSVs in last four years, the statement said, while adding that all of them have got released.
Shipping Minister G K Vasan, after meeting about 6-7 families of the Indian sailors taken hostage, today said that "I share the anxiety and concerns of the family members and we are making all efforts to ensure the safety of Indians and also to expedite their release."
Vasan said his ministry officials are in touch with their counterparts in the Ministry of External Affairs on the issue but refused to elaborate the steps taken by the government.
Antony rules out military action to free Indian sailors
"No, there is no military option," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of an international hydrography seminar organised by the Indian Navy here when asked if the government was considering an offensive against the pirates to free the hostages.
At the same time, he admitted to a "sorry state of affairs" in the efforts to contain piracy. "It is a sorry state of affairs. Because, in spite of the fact that 18 navies of the world (have a presence in the Gulf of Aden) we are not able to contain this piracy," Antony said.
However, he exuded confidence that the world navies would be able to stop piracy through joint efforts.
"But efforts (to contain piracy) are going on. More and more coordination is there between all the nations. Even though we are finding it difficult to contain them, we will be able to succeed ultimately. We will not let up. Not only India, piracy is a cause of worry to all the nations," he said.
Expressing concern over the plight of the Indian sailors held hostage, Antony said the government understood the pain of their families.
"The entire government is aware of the sensitivity. We are all concerned about the agonies of the people. So the government is doing its best to understand the problem," he added.
Somali pirates are holding nine Indians among 22 crew members of Iranian merchant vessel M.V. Sinan since Feb 12 year and another six Indians among 25 sailors on board Egyptian cargo ship M.V. Suez since Aug 2, 2010.
The pirates have threatened to kill the hostages if their ransom demands were not met. "All agencies of the government are working together. We are doing everything possible to find a solution. We are continuing our efforts. We hope there will some solution in the near future," he said.
Asked if any ransom would be paid to the pirates to free the Indian sailors, Antony said the government was not handling the money part of the negotiations.
"That part, government is not handling. We are trying to hasten the process of releasing the abducted. For that, all agencies are working together. Ministry of external affairs is coordinating and all others are cooperating," he added.
Addressing the seminar, Antony said that keeping the Indian Ocean free of piracy was one of the prime drivers of energy security of several nations, including India.
"Maritime security is extremely crucial for our energy security as well as overall national security. The necessary precondition to maintain our economic growth is our dependence on stable energy supplies," he said.
"Actually, it (piracy) is becoming a more and more serious problem. Everyday, we are getting alerts and threats. There are families of the abducted and their worries. Their pain and agony is a matter of concern to all of us," he said.
Haryana seeks safe return of captive Indian sailors
The Haryana government Thursday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure the safe return of six Indian sailors held by Somali pirates.
The Indians were among 25 crew members of MV Suez, an Egyptian cargo vessel which was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden Aug 2 last year. The pirates have demanded over $4 million for their release.
"Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has called on Manmohan Singh and urged his intervention in this issue," a Haryana government spokesman said. "Manmohan Singh has promised assured of all help of the central government for the release of Indian hostages," he added.
The 22 hostages comprise 11 Egyptians, six Indians (including two from Haryana and one each from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir), four Pakistanis and four Sri Lankans.
They are reportedly living in inhuman conditions and get only boiled rice and fish to eat, according to those negotiating with the pirates. Family members of Ravinder Gulia, 30, one of the hostages and a resident of Haryana's Rohtak town, met Hooda Wednesday.
"Efforts are being made to get the Indian workers released from the Somalian pirates. The whole nation is concerned about their well-being," the chief minister said. Family members of the hostages plan to meet Manmohan Singh.
It added that all of them have been reported safe. The statement further said that two foreign flag ships -- MV Savina Caylyn, and MV Sinin--, having 26 Indians as crew members, were high jacked this year, in January and February respectively.
Talking about the increasing attacks by the pirates, the statement said none of the Indian ships have got high jacked in last four years, although seven had come under attack by the pirates of the Somalia coast between 2007 to 2011.
It added that 200 Indian seafarers were held hostage on board foreign flag ships during the same period. In addition to this, the pirates managed to capture about 20 Indian MSVs (Motor support vessels) and 295 sailors on board these MSVs in last four years, the statement said, while adding that all of them have got released.
Shipping Minister G K Vasan, after meeting about 6-7 families of the Indian sailors taken hostage, today said that "I share the anxiety and concerns of the family members and we are making all efforts to ensure the safety of Indians and also to expedite their release."
Vasan said his ministry officials are in touch with their counterparts in the Ministry of External Affairs on the issue but refused to elaborate the steps taken by the government.
Antony rules out military action to free Indian sailors
"No, there is no military option," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of an international hydrography seminar organised by the Indian Navy here when asked if the government was considering an offensive against the pirates to free the hostages.
At the same time, he admitted to a "sorry state of affairs" in the efforts to contain piracy. "It is a sorry state of affairs. Because, in spite of the fact that 18 navies of the world (have a presence in the Gulf of Aden) we are not able to contain this piracy," Antony said.
However, he exuded confidence that the world navies would be able to stop piracy through joint efforts.
"But efforts (to contain piracy) are going on. More and more coordination is there between all the nations. Even though we are finding it difficult to contain them, we will be able to succeed ultimately. We will not let up. Not only India, piracy is a cause of worry to all the nations," he said.
Expressing concern over the plight of the Indian sailors held hostage, Antony said the government understood the pain of their families.
"The entire government is aware of the sensitivity. We are all concerned about the agonies of the people. So the government is doing its best to understand the problem," he added.
Somali pirates are holding nine Indians among 22 crew members of Iranian merchant vessel M.V. Sinan since Feb 12 year and another six Indians among 25 sailors on board Egyptian cargo ship M.V. Suez since Aug 2, 2010.
The pirates have threatened to kill the hostages if their ransom demands were not met. "All agencies of the government are working together. We are doing everything possible to find a solution. We are continuing our efforts. We hope there will some solution in the near future," he said.
Asked if any ransom would be paid to the pirates to free the Indian sailors, Antony said the government was not handling the money part of the negotiations.
"That part, government is not handling. We are trying to hasten the process of releasing the abducted. For that, all agencies are working together. Ministry of external affairs is coordinating and all others are cooperating," he added.
Addressing the seminar, Antony said that keeping the Indian Ocean free of piracy was one of the prime drivers of energy security of several nations, including India.
"Maritime security is extremely crucial for our energy security as well as overall national security. The necessary precondition to maintain our economic growth is our dependence on stable energy supplies," he said.
"Actually, it (piracy) is becoming a more and more serious problem. Everyday, we are getting alerts and threats. There are families of the abducted and their worries. Their pain and agony is a matter of concern to all of us," he said.
Haryana seeks safe return of captive Indian sailors
The Haryana government Thursday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure the safe return of six Indian sailors held by Somali pirates.
The Indians were among 25 crew members of MV Suez, an Egyptian cargo vessel which was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden Aug 2 last year. The pirates have demanded over $4 million for their release.
"Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has called on Manmohan Singh and urged his intervention in this issue," a Haryana government spokesman said. "Manmohan Singh has promised assured of all help of the central government for the release of Indian hostages," he added.
The 22 hostages comprise 11 Egyptians, six Indians (including two from Haryana and one each from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir), four Pakistanis and four Sri Lankans.
They are reportedly living in inhuman conditions and get only boiled rice and fish to eat, according to those negotiating with the pirates. Family members of Ravinder Gulia, 30, one of the hostages and a resident of Haryana's Rohtak town, met Hooda Wednesday.
"Efforts are being made to get the Indian workers released from the Somalian pirates. The whole nation is concerned about their well-being," the chief minister said. Family members of the hostages plan to meet Manmohan Singh.
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