'We'll start killing the crew in 48 hours'

Somalian pirates who hijacked MV Suez 7 months ago speak tou00a0J Dey over phone, pass on this chilling message to Indian govt

After their congratulatory job in capturing Somalian pirates off the Lakshadweep coast earlier this month, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard didn't envisage that another pack of the outlaws would surface and stake Indian lives, partly for revenge, mostly for money.



The band of Somalian sea brigands, who had hijacked an Egyptian-owned cargo ship MV Suez on August 2 last year, have now issued a threat that is likely to make authorities - yawning over the issue for the past seven months - sit up and take notice.

Saying that if their demands are not complied with over the next two days, they will begin the carnage of the ship's crew of 22.

"We will start killing the crew if our demands are not met within 48 hours. The owners of ship wants them killed and are not interested in their safety," said a Somalian pirate. With a blunt challenge directed at the Indian Navy, he added, "This is our time to show you what we can do."

The ship has a complement of six Indians, four Pakistanis, and 12 Egyptians, who have been held hostage by the pirates for over 210 days now. The owners have been identified as Red Sea Navigation, operating out of the trouble-torn Port Said.

Sources believe that the owners may not be interested in rescuing the crew in thrall to the bandits, as the vessel and the crew have been insured. Crewmembers fear that even if they are killed aboard, the owners will not suffer any losses, and will instead get paid.

Hence, their apathy.

'Time's up'

MiD DAY got through the pirates and even the crew of MV Suez in the wee hours of Wednesday. The Somalian pirates were contacted through a satellite phone, which probably is the only source of communication and negotiation for money, sources said.

Reportedly, the sea bandits have raised their ransom demand to $4 million or Rs 18 crore approximately.

"The owners of MV Suez have left the crew to die. They are not interested in their release," said Thresh, a pirate, in broken English. "We have given them (the owners) sufficient time. Now the deadline is nearing. We will begin killing the crew after 48 hours," Thresh added.

V for vendetta

The death threat comes after Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships intercepted ships hijacked by Somalian pirates.

Their ilk has now sworn revenge on the country's marine forces after they besieged and subdued over 50 Somalian pirates who had hijacked a fleet of three Thai fishing trawlers, Prantalay I, II and III.
u00a0
The anti-piracy strikes were conducted in late January and early February. And the pirates are currently facing trials in the city.

Said a pirate, who did not reveal his name, "We will avenge the arrests of our countrymen by the Indian Navy. Your government should now arrange the money for the release of the six Indians."

The captives

Third officer Ravindra Gulia, an Indian among the hostages, was accessible on the phone. He told this reporter that the situation is tense on board MV Suez. "Anything can happen any moment. Please appeal to the Prime Minister and the President of India to do something for our release," said Gulia in a meek voice.



"The pirates are continuously pointing their Kalashnikovs at us, and threatening to pull the trigger. We have been given just enough food so that we don't die," said a crew.

Inquiries have revealed that the hostages are given a litre of water to be shared by four persons. Food is served once in two days.

All the 22 members, including Pakistani Captain Wasi Hasan, have been tetheredu00a0 to each other in a cabin. Over a dozen pirates armed with rocket launchers and AK-47 assault rifles have been guarding them round the clock.

The Indian crew said they are among seven other ships anchored off the Somalian coast, and members of different militia groups have taken control of these ships.

u00a0"Only a joint effort by the Indian and Pakistani government may save our lives. The Egyptian government may not be in a position to negotiate our release," pleaded Gulia.

7 month hitch
Exactly seven months have passed but there has been no solution to the impasse with neither the respective national governments nor the company have shown any willingness to resolve the issue.

As the kin of the abducted crew rage over government inaction, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna called the piracy 'an international menace'. The statement, however, was of little solace to the woebegone family members of the abducted.