Three Indians taken hostage by Somalian pirates

Visakhapatnam, Jan 16 (PTI) Two months after the Stolt
Valor hostage drama involving Indians, a ship has been
hijacked by Somalian pirates who have taken three Indians
captive after releasing Kenyan crew members.

A relative of one of the Indian sailors taken hostage
said Friday that the ship M V Alpha Manyara was hijacked on
January 9 near the coast of Kenya and the pirates were holding
three Indians hostage after setting free eight Kenyan sailors.

"Among the 11-member crew, three were Indians and the
rest were Kenyans. Only the Indians have been taken hostage,"
George, brother of sailor Palaswamy Sarvanan who hails from
this coastal city, said.

"We were informed about the incident a day after the
vessel was hijacked. After that, we have not heard from the
company or the government. The company has declined to pay any
ransom," he claimed.

Stolt Valor, owned by a Japanese company and carrying
18 Indian sailors, was released by the Somalian pirates after
a huge ransom was paid by the owners on November 16. PTI RAI
AM
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