Uzhunnalil thanked everyone for their support upon his arrival at the Kochi airport Sunday. ScreengrabKochi: Kerala priest Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, who was freed after being kept in captivity for 18 months by terrorists in strife-torn Yemen, has reached Kochi.
"I thank God Almighty. I thank everybody who has worked for my release," Uzhunnalil told reporters at the airport upon his arrival from Bengaluru Sunday morning.
Some of the prominent members of the opposition UDF were present at the airport. Leader of the opposition Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K. Mani, MP; MLAs Anwar Sadath and Hibi Eden joined priests and other prominent people in welcoming Uzhunnalil.
However, none of the ministers of the ruling LDF government were present as Uzhunnalil landed in Kochi. Pointing out the impropriety, Chennithala said this was not right and the government should correct it.
On Sunday evening, the priest will head for his hometown at Ramapuram in Kottayam district. His village is planning a grand welcome for him. The priest will also travel to the state capital to meet chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan this week.
Uzhunnalil belongs to the Congregation of Salesians of Don Bosco and was abducted from Aden and taken to an undisclosed place. The priest was finally released on September 12 with the help of Oman government's intervention.
The 59-year-old Catholic priest had returned to Delhi September 28 after rest and recuperation in the Vatican City. The priest had met the prime minister and the external affairs minister and thanked them for their support. He then went to Bengaluru, before flying down to Kochi.
(With inputs from agencies)
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