HINDRAF leader's wife says house has become home again with his return

Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), Apr.6 (ANI): The wife of recently released HINDRAF lawyer R. Kengadharan has said that their house has become a home again after his return from a detention center.

Kengadharan was overwhelmed with emotion as he tightly hugged his wife Dr M. Kalaivani and their three-year-old son Pavan after spending 16 months at the Kamunting Detention Centre under the Internal Security Act, reports The Star.

Kengadharan, 41, arrived at his condominium in Kelana Jaya at 6 p.m. yesterday accompanied by Special Branch officers.

"I am very elated. It is an extraordinary feeling that cannot be expressed," he told reporters after performing thanksgiving prayers.

Dr Kalaivani said her home was complete with the husband's return.

"Before this, the house was not as cheerful. He (Kengadharan) has definitely lost some weight," she said.

Kengadharan was thankful to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for his release.

"The new Prime Minister has propelled new sentiments to the local democracy. But we want this to be consistent. Please Najib, it will be a bucket of joy if all ISA detainees are set free," he said.

Meanwhile, in Bukit Kemuning, Shah Alam, the other Hindraf lawyer, P. Ganabatirau, 36, declined to talk to reporters, saying that it was an order from the authorities.

His wife B. Buvaneswary, 33, said that for now, it was important for the family to spend quality time together.

She said their two children, aged two and four, wanted to make up for lost time as they had missed 16 months with their father.

"I want to cook him a hearty meal. I am so thankful that the weekly travel to Kamunting is over. It was really tedious and tiring," said the teacher, adding that she was appreciative of the support shown by family and friends throughout the detention period.

Buvaneswary also thanked Najib for ordering the release.

A welcome home party, complete with fireworks and drums, was thrown for Ganabatirau at their house in Shah Alam on Sunday.

Lawyers P. Uthayakumar and M. Manoharan as well as coordinator K. Vasantha Kumar are the other three Hindraf leaders still being detained. (ANI)