Taliban abduct Indian cook, demand Rs 1 crore ransom
The unidentified terrorists are demanding a ransom of Rs 1 crore.
By Bosco Dominique, TNN |
VILLUPURAM: The family of P Simon (38), who was kidnapped along with four others in Afghanistan on October 13, is distraught. With the deadline set by the unidentified terrorists, who are demanding a ransom of Rs 1 crore, expiring on Monday, Simon's wife, Vasanthi, has appealed to the Tamil Nadu and central governments to take immediate steps to free her husband.
Simon's brother, P Subramanian, who also works in Afghanistan, was informed about the kidnapping by officials of the Indian Embassy on October 14. Simon and Subramanian, who hail from Villupuram district, were employed by Ciano International as cooks to make pizzas.
"The embassy officials told me that Simon was among five people kidnapped by terrorists, and I immediately informed them that he is my brother. The officials instructed me to get back to them as soon the kidnappers called me. I got a call from them only on November 27 and they demanded a ransom of $2,00,000. They threatened to kill my brother if they did not receive the money," Subramanian said.
Vasanthi also got information about the kidnapping on October 14. Sitting huddled with her children, Nirmala (10) and Ajith (8), in their house in Thirumakondam village, a terrified Vasanthi said: "When my husband spoke to me last time almost three months ago, he promised to visit us during Pongal. He left for Afghanistan almost a year ago."
Subramanian, who settled in Afghanistan a few years ago, got Simon a job in the company he was working. Simon had earlier worked in a bakery unit in Muscat for five years.
The kidnappers allowed Simon to talk to his brother over phone when they called him again on December 12. "Simon told me that they were torturing him day and night and were keeping him in an open, chilly area, blindfolded and with his hands tied. He pleaded with me to rescue him at the earliest," said Subramanian.
Embassy officials advised Ciano International to negotiate with the kidnappers and prolong the proceedings so that they could gather information about the gang.
Simon's captors called again on December 15 and set a final deadline, which expired on Monday.
Simon's brother, P Subramanian, who also works in Afghanistan, was informed about the kidnapping by officials of the Indian Embassy on October 14. Simon and Subramanian, who hail from Villupuram district, were employed by Ciano International as cooks to make pizzas.
"The embassy officials told me that Simon was among five people kidnapped by terrorists, and I immediately informed them that he is my brother. The officials instructed me to get back to them as soon the kidnappers called me. I got a call from them only on November 27 and they demanded a ransom of $2,00,000. They threatened to kill my brother if they did not receive the money," Subramanian said.
Vasanthi also got information about the kidnapping on October 14. Sitting huddled with her children, Nirmala (10) and Ajith (8), in their house in Thirumakondam village, a terrified Vasanthi said: "When my husband spoke to me last time almost three months ago, he promised to visit us during Pongal. He left for Afghanistan almost a year ago."
Subramanian, who settled in Afghanistan a few years ago, got Simon a job in the company he was working. Simon had earlier worked in a bakery unit in Muscat for five years.
The kidnappers allowed Simon to talk to his brother over phone when they called him again on December 12. "Simon told me that they were torturing him day and night and were keeping him in an open, chilly area, blindfolded and with his hands tied. He pleaded with me to rescue him at the earliest," said Subramanian.
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Embassy officials advised Ciano International to negotiate with the kidnappers and prolong the proceedings so that they could gather information about the gang.
Simon's captors called again on December 15 and set a final deadline, which expired on Monday.
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