With the abductors of Paramananthan Simon from Tamil Nadu refusing to hand over his body, his family completed his last rites over a pot of soil.
With the abductors of Tamil Nadu cook Paramananthan Simon of Bramhakondam in Villupuram District refusing to hand over his body, his family completed his last rites over a pot of soil his elder brother PG Subramanian brought from Kabul on Sunday.
“If the Indian authorities had pressurised Ciano, we could have rescued my brother. I got to know of my brother’s abduction on October 14 itself, but was asked not to tell the outside world. I squarely blame the Indian government and Ciano’s (the company the brothers worked for) indifference for our ordeal,” Subramaniam told DNA.
On November 26, the abductors contacted him directly after getting his number from Simon. “My last contact with the abductors and my brother was on January 18. I went to the embassy on February 8 and explained to them that the company was willing to pay the ransom and that efforts should be made to free my brother. On February 9, I was called to the embassy with the manager of my company. I went hoping for some positive development, but was told that my brother was killed the night before.
“The abduction racket in Afghanistan, especially Herat province, is very organised. The Afghanistan National Army rounded up four persons during Operation Simon, including the son of the leader of the gang who kidnapped my brother. The abductors were demanding his release and refusing to hand over the body,” Subramaniam said.
With his wife and relatives agitated over the situation, the family decided to go ahead with Simon’s last rites and asked Subramaniam to carry some soil from Afghanistan.
“We have performed his last rites with the soil I carried from Afghanistan. We will complete all other rituals so that at least his soul can rest in peace.
“I approached the Indian embassy and told them that I was very uncomfortable staying in Afghanistan when my brother’s family was in distress. I last met the public affairs officer in-charge of security of Indians in Afghanistan on February 12. He took down my contact number in India and said he would call me in case the embassy got further information. I have settled my accounts with Ciano and have returned for good,” he said.
Overseas affairs minister Vyalar Ravi, who does a lot to help Keralites in the Gulf, failed to take up this issue seriously,” he said. “As of now I have no plans on what to do next. Once we get over this tragedy I’ll have to take a decision. But, I will definitely not return to Afghanistan.”
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