Delay in sailors' release may affect their mental health: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought urgent intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the release of the Norwegian vessel and its crew members that include three Keralites, detained in Equatorial Guinea.
In a letter to the PM, Vijayan said that even though the vessel MT Heroic Idun has not engaged in any unlawful activities, the shipping company was ready to pay the fine to facilitate the early release of the seafarers. After negotiations with the Nigerian authorities, the shipping company had paid a fine on September 28. Unfortunately, the ship is still under arrest in Equatorial Guinea, he said.
"They are concerned about the unforeseen delay in release since all investigations have been completed and the required fine has been paid. The delay would affect the mental and physical health of the crew members and their further stay in the port which is considered unsafe would also put their lives in danger," the CM said. He requested the PM to direct the diplomatic missions in the countries concerned to proactively intervene for the immediate release of the vessel and its crew.
The vessel, along with its 26 crew members, was arrested by an Equatorial Guinea naval ship in international waters on August 12. There are 16 Indians in the ship. One of them, Vijith Vikraman Nair from Kollam, is the brother of Vismaya, who had ended her life owing to dowry harassment.
Meanwhile, Kollam MP N K Premachandran said that he has received information that the second secretary of Indian embassy in Malabo, Sarata Kumar Nayak, has informed that the embassy in Abuja is engaged in efforts for the release of detainees. He had sought the intervention of the external affairs ministry for the immediate release of Vijith.