Families of abducted Indians still await meeting with Swaraj

New Delhi, June 9

Families of Indians who were abducted by some unknown gunmen in Afghanistan claim they were turned away from the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday.

Relatives of three of the seven Indians who protested in front of Swaraj’s ministry with some activists from All India Students Association (AISA) on Thursday claimed that some officials from her ministry promised a meeting once the minister returned from her trip to South Africa.

However, sources claimed that their meeting on Saturday was rescheduled to include some representatives from KEC, the company the seven Indian engineers were working for when they were abducted a month ago.

Among those who went to meet Swaraj were Prem Chand Mahto and Mohan Kumar Mahto (not related), both from Jharkhand’s Giridh district. Prem Chand Mahto’s 28-year-old son Hulas Mahto and Mohan Kumar Mahto’s father were among those who were taken hostage.

The seven Indian engineers were abducted from Afghanistan’s Baghlan province. Although no group claimed the abduction, Baghlan province governor blame it on he Taliban.

Indian government has said it was in touch with Afghan government for updates, although the ministry has refused to part with details citing security concerns.