A Correspondent:
Chattogram: Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said the government is trying to free the hi-jacked ship MV Abdullah and bring back its crew members safely as soon as possible.
“We are trying to rescue the sailors and the ship, making sure that they remain unharmed,” he said while responding to questions from journalists.
The Foreign Minister said that when MV Jahan Moni was hijacked, it took 100 days to free the ship and the crew.
He said there is coal in the ship and it is a combustible material. “So, nothing can be done which could endanger the combustible material, and damage the ship.”
“That is how we are proceeding and those who hijacked the ship have already contacted the owner. Vari-ous international organisations are also cooperating with us in this regard. Hope we can rescue the sailors soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of India’s Naval Staff, said on Saturday that the Indian Navy will take affirmative action to ensure there is safety and security in the Indian ocean.
The Indian Navy is keeping a close watch on the hijacked Bangladeshi vessel MV Abdullah and it has been taken to Somalia, he said.
“The Indian Navy is very clear about its job. This is the Indian Ocean, named after us, and if we don’t take action, then who will?” he said.
