Abhilash returns home after Sudanese nightmare

Kochi, Jul 31 (UNI) With relief and happiness writ large on his face, Abhilash Pulickathara, who spent 73 days in the captivity of Sudanese rebels before being freed, reached home to a warm welcome by his family members and friends today.

The lean and bespectacled youth, who was captured by Sudanese tribals on May 13, arrived at the Nedumbaserry International Airport near here at 0315 hrs by a Qatar Airways flight.

His father Kunjachan, mother Baby, local MLA V D Satheeshan and the Chairman of the action council set up for his release.

K J Raphael, besides relatives and friends were among those, who received Mr Abhilash at the airport.

En route to his house in Gothuruth, Abhilash and his family members went to the local St. Sebastian Church, where special prayers of thanksgiving were offered for his safe return home.

Talking to newspersons at the airport, Mr Abhilash recalled his days in custody and expressed gratitude to all those, who had worked for his release.

He said he was ready to go back to Sudan, if his company gave him an office job. An employee of Indo Petro Energy Contracting Services (IPEC), Mr Abhilash was caputred alongwith four other Indians on May 13.

While three of them managed to flee from the captors, Mr Abhilash had to spend over a nightmarish two months in their custody before hectic efforts by the Indian and Sudanese Governments secured his release.

UNI XR ARC PK AS1438