Demand for release of sailors held hostage by Somali pirates

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Ind) said it is a matter of serious concern that there were delays on part of the government in initiating steps for release of the Indian sailors under captivity of pirates for months now.

The seafarers are trapped in the UAE-owned MT Royal Grace ship.

Terming the issue as humanitarian, Chandrasekhar said the owner of the ship who was unavailable has now been traced and is in close contact with the pirates over ranson for release of hijacked sailors but "there is delay on the part of the our government."

He demanded that the Ministry of Shipping in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs should approach the Nigerian government for expediting their release, saying family members of the sailors who have met several key ministers and officials were even beaten up in course of demonstrations.

Avinash Khanna (BJP) said the sailors were in need of medical help as air-conditioner of the ship has reportedly been switched off.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien directed the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to take up the matter with the ministries and departments concerned.

"Indians have been held up for months. This is a concern of all of us. Parliamentary Affairs Minister should take up the matter with the concerned ministries and departments and do the needful," Kurien said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said whenever such issues have cropped up, the government has taken all possible measures and now too it will do the needful.