(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The kerala government and the families of 46 nurses from the state under the siege of iraqi insurgents for past more than three weeks have heaved a sigh of relief with the latter setting the nurses free on friday
An elated chief minister oommen chandy told reporters at new delhi that he was happy that the nurses are able to return safely. he said that it was the joint effort of many that culminated in the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He said that he was happy with the steps taken by the external affairs ministry in the last three days to bring the nurses back. he also had a special word of praise for the indian embassy in iraq. chandy refused to divulge any details about the mission.
The chief minister said the nurses would be brought back by a special air india flight. the federal government has agreed to bring the flight directly to cochin. all the 46 nurses will arrive at cochin at 7am on saturday.
He has asked rachana shah additional resident commissioner at the kerala house in new delhi to accompany the nurses from arbil. she will go to arbil in the special flight along with the federal government representative.
The chief minister said the indian mission in iraq had booked rooms in hotels at arbil for the nurses to stay on friday night. the mission has also made all the arrangements at the arbil airport to provide travel documents to those who do not have.
Chandy who has been in constant touch with the nurses and their families in the state ever since the nurses at the teaching hospital where the nurses worked confirmed that all the nurses from the state were safe.
The cochin international airport ltd. (ciacl) has set up special immigration counters at the nedumbaserry airport for the speedy immigration clearance to the nurses. airport director ack nair said that the nurses without passports can go out with the help of exit permits issued by the indian embassy in iraq.
The news of the release of the nurses brought cheers to their homes in the state that were enveloped by gloom all these days. neighbours and relatives thronged the houses of the nurses’s homes as soon as they heard the news. the parents and close relatives of the nurses are getting ready to go to the airport to receive them.
Sasi kumar father of sruthi
s nair said his family was relieved when his daughter called to inform that they were at last free. “her calls earlier had made us tense. we have no words to express our happiness” he told the khaleej times.
He was all praise for the chief minister who kept the spirits up by calling them and the nurses frequently. his intervention has saved the lives of the nurses. “we will always be indebted to the state government” he added.
C.c joseph father of the nurses twins sona and veena was equally relieved with the happy ending of his daughters’ three-weeks saga. “god has heard our prayers. we are now anxiously awaiting their arrival” joseph said.
P.a joseph father of marina m jose thanked god for the release of the nurses. thomas father of siona a nurse from palghat said that his family was relieved of the tension when she called in the morning and said that the terrorists had assured to send them to the erbil airport.
Thomas said his daughter had informed that the militants were not hostile to the nurses and gave them food and water. they have also provided a safe place to rest on thursday night. they were also allowed to talk over phone with their family members.
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