Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070560920300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Hostage contacts parents

KOCHI: Confirming that he is alive, P.K. Abhilash, who was captured by tribal rebels in Sudan on May 13, phoned his parents at Gothuruthu near here on Wednesday.

This was the first time that Abhilash could contact his family since he was captured 53 days ago.

Mr. Abhilash’s father Kunjachan told The Hindu that his son sounded tired.

But the family, which has been in angst all these days, was relieved that he was alive.

Mr. Abhilash told his parents that he was being held captive in a jungle in southern Sudan by rebels.

Abhilash spoke to his parents for about a minute on the satellite phone provided by the captors to get in touch with his parents. — Special Correspondent