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ITF gains Indian government assurances on Somalia hostages
26 September 2008
The Indian government has promised to do everything in its power to assist in the safe return of some 18 Indian seafarers, who were captured off the coast of Somalia by pirates last week.
ITF Assistant General Secretary Stuart Howard raised the issue of the kidnap of the seafarers from the Japanese-owned, Hong Kong-registered vessel, Stold Vella, during formal celebrations of World Maritime Day in Mumbai on 25 September. The Indian Secretary for Shipping, APVN Sharma, who was present during Howard’s speech, promised that the Indian government would press for the release of the seafarers, who have been held to ransom in Somalia since 15 September. He also announced that the Indian government would consider sending a warship to the area.
The National Union of Seafarers of India is also putting pressure on the Indian government, along with relatives of the hostages, who also attended the gathering.
“While we are celebrating World Maritime Day and the 60th anniversary of the International Maritime Organization, we must give our thoughts to those seafarers whose lives are at risk from the scourge of modern piracy off the coast of Somalia,” Howard said.
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