 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Five days after his abduction by Taliban, the body of Indian driver Maniappan Raman Kutty was found with his throat slashed in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, evoking strong condemnation by India.
India described the killing as outrageous and barbaric.
Kutty's wife and aged parents are in a state of shock after hearing of his death. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had confirmed the news of Maniappan's death a short while ago, his uncle, Krishanankutty told PTI.
The news had been conveyed to Maniappan's aged parents Ramankutty, 70 and Mani 60. His wife Bindu and two children are also with them and the family is devastated, he said. The family was waiting for Maniappan to visit them on November 8 when, instead, the Border Roads Organisation personnel was posted to Afghanistan.
"We were eagerly waiting for the homecoming, which was never to be," Krishnankutty said.
Maniappan is the only son of his parents and the sole breadwinner of the family. With tears and prayers, the family was hoping against hope to hear good news, a relative said.
The slaughtered body of 36-year-old Kutty, a driver with Border Roads Organisation, was found dumped by the roadside in Delaram district of Nimroze Province, Governor of Khashroad Mohd Hashim Noorzai, was quoted as saying by international news agencies in Kandahar.
"He has been slaughtered. His throat has been cut," he said.
Taliban on Tuesday evening called up news agencies in Kandahar to say they have killed Kutty, who was abducted on Saturday as the BRO did not comply with its demand to pull out of Afghanistan.
The government announced that the family will receive Rs 10 lakh as compensation and benefits with free education up to the secondary level for Kutty's two children and assured that no stone would be left unturned to ensure their livelihood and security.
"I condemn this cowardly killing and brutal murder of a brave Indian who was working in the cause of peace and development far from his home and country, which reflects the cruel and inhuman character of the Taliban and the forces they represent," Singh said in a statement.
He said he had directed the Ministries of External Affairs and Defence to extend all help and assistance to the bereaved family.