NEW DELHI: On the anniversary of the capture of five foreign hostages by the Al Faran militants in Jammu and Kashmir, the Amnesty International last week renewed its call for their release, saying the “kidnapping of innocent people to gain political advantage can never be justified in any circumstances.” In a release, the London based human rights organize a lion expressed concern for hostage’s safety in the wake of contradictory Statements by the militants.
American Donald Hutchings, German Dirk Hasen, Norwegian Hans Christian Ostro and Britain’s Keith Mangan and Paul Wells were taken from Pahaigam area between July 48, 1995, while they were trekking in Jammu and Kashmir. Hans Christian Ostro was killed in August last year. The Al Faran militants now claim that the foreigners were not in their custody. The Amnesty said, “Whoever is now holding these hostages should release them immediately and unconditionally. “To hold these four for a year in captivity is almost unbelievably callous.” The relatives of three of the four hostages will broadcast messages of support this week via the BBC world service radio network Lo mark the first anniversary of their capture. The wife of British hostage Keith Mangan, the sister of fellow Briton Paul Wells and the wife of the American hostage Donald Hutchings will relay their messages of support on the BBC world service’s Outlook program. The fourth hostage is German Dirk Hasert. On the same program, his fellow hostage and Anglican Church meditator Terry Waite will appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir rebel to give up. “Get rid of the problem and let the men go.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 10, 1996
