The Union ministry of shipping along with other government agencies is stepping up efforts for the release of 39 Indian sailors who have been held captive by Somali pirates, Union Minister G K Vasan said on Tuesday.
"We hope to bring home the remaining 39 sailors who are still in the custody of pirates. We are also raising the issue in all the international forums to build international pressure," the shipping minister told mediapersons after attending the 13th Maritime States Development Council Meeting in Hyderabad.
Referring to the release of six Indian sailors held captive by Somali pirates on board the hijacked merchant vessel M V Suez, Vasan said the pirates who hijacked this vessel in August 2010 have left the ship.
Indian Navy, in coordination with other navies is providing security to the ship, he said.
Since 2007, 189 Indian crew members have been held captive by Somalian pirates. The ministry of shipping in close coordination with ministry of external affairs, Indian Navy and other agencies has made discrete efforts to get the crew members released, the minister said.
"Till date, 150 crew members (including the six released on Monday) have been released due to these efforts. Release of the crew members is a continuous process and the Directorate General (Shipping) and other government agencies are engaged in it," he said.
On plans to have security personnel onboard ships, Shipping Secretary K Mohandas said, "It is a demand from the Indian shipping industry that we should permit armed guards onboard ships. The ministry of shipping has accepted this proposal. A final decision has to be taken in consultation with defence ministry and MEA.. and that consultation process is going on."
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