Ensure release of 17 Indians held hostage by pirates: AAP to govt

Aam Admi Party demanded that government take immediate "remedial actions" to safeguard the lives of 17 Indian crew members aboard a ship which was held hostage by Somali pirates earlier this year.

New Delhi: Aam Admi Party on Monday demanded that government take immediate "remedial actions" to safeguard the lives of 17 Indian crew members aboard a ship which was held hostage by Somali pirates earlier this year.

AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal said it is regrettable that even after nine months, the government has not taken any steps that could resolve the situation or even offer some ray of hope to the affected families. "The family members of these unfortunate victims have been left with no option but to stage dharna before the various ministries in the capital. They cannot but conclude that this indifferent treatment has been meted out to them because they are just `aam aadmi`," he said in a statement. He said the government must consider all measures, including direct intervention, to safeguard the lives of these Indian citizens. "The government must also reinforce our naval presence in the western Indian Ocean, ensure that the employers` take responsibility for any hostage situation for their employees and that there is international collaboration to face up to this menace," he said. PTI