Kin pray for release of Indian diamond traders in China

Surat, Jan 17 (ANI): Kin of Indian diamond traders detained in China on charges of smuggling diamonds are praying for their early release.

Kin, accompanied by the local diamond fraternity, queued up at a local temple here to pray for their wellness.

They weighed an idol of the Swami Narayan Lord on a weighing scale with precious stones and diamonds of 4,200 carats put on the other scale.

" We always wanted to offer diamonds in such a way to the Lord. Diamond exporters have taken a good step forward in the progress of the nation. We have knowledge that few of our diamond exporters are stuck in China and are in deep trouble. So by doing this, we have prayed to the Lord for their happiness and peace," said Vishwa Vallabh Kothari, a priest.

The Indian authorities have asked Beijing Indian Embassy officials to inquire into the matter. Indian consular officials have been granted access to the detained Indian nationals.

The arrests by Beijing has come in the wake of three Chinese engineers detained by India in Chhattisgarh in connection with a chimney crash at the BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd) plant in Korba, where around 41 were workers were killed in September last year. (ANI)