Modi confirms effort for release of Jesuit Priest in Afganistan

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 13, 2014: Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha that the Centre would spare “no effort” to ensure the safe release of Indian jesuit priest Alexis Prem Kumar, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen in Afganistan last week.

The assurance was the result of  Jayalalitha’s request to “personally intervene” and take up the matter at the highest level in Afganistan for the early release of jesuit Fr. Prem Kumar. “I too am deeply concerned by the abduction of Father Alexis Prem Kumar in Herat province of Afghanistan. I have been assured that the government of Afghanistan and the authorities in Herat are taking every possible step to ensure the early release of Fr Prem Kumar,” Modi said in a letter to Jayalalitha.

Stating that Indian Ambassador in Kabul has been in regular touch with the President’s Office and the security agencies, Modi said “My National Security Advisor has also spoken to the Afghan National Security Advisor, who has assured sustained efforts by the Afghan government to seek Fr Prem Kumar’s release”.

The prime minister said the primary concern at this stage was to ensure the integrity of ongoing efforts for Fr Prem Kumar’s release and “to ensure that he does not come to harm. I can assure you that the government will spare no effort for the safe and earliest possible release of Fr Prem Kumar. I will continue to monitor the situation very closely,” Modi said. The hope for release is high feel all concerned.