July 25, 2015 by admin

VK Singh’s reply an eyewash: Cong MP

Jalandhar, July 25
Jalandhar MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh, who sought a reply from the Ministry of External Affairs on the issue of 39 Punjabis held hostage in Iraq for the past more than a year in Parliament, today expressed dissatisfaction over the same, calling it an eyewash.
The Congress MP had asked, “Whether the Union Government has sought any status report about the Indians, including persons from Punjab, held hostage by the ISIS in Iraq? If so, what are the details in that regard? What are the steps being taken to secure their release?”
In reply to his query, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Gen VK Singh (retd) said, “The safety and security of Indian nationals held captive by the ISIS in Mosul, Iraq, remains a matter of foremost concern and preoccupation for the Government of India… As per the latest information from multiple third party sources, they are all safe. The government is making all efforts and taking all steps to secure their release.”
The MP said the government has been constantly giving vague replies on the matter, causing unrest among the families that had been waiting for their loved ones since June 15 last.