Himachal Transport Minister Bali wrote PM and MEA for release of two Himachali merchant navy men

Dharamshala, November 30, 2017: Two residents of Kangra are among the crew of commercial ship “Sea Pearl” detained by the Nigerian Navy in August, last week they sent a video to their families through messaging apps in which they have requested the Indian government for their release. Reema, wife of sailor Sudhir Kumar, said they had approached every authority, but help did not reach them.“We request the External Affairs Ministry to get my husband and others released at the earliest,” she said. The families of both sailors met former CM Sh Shanta Kumar early this week in Palampur to intervene in the matter.
Today, Himachal Transport Minister GS Bali wrote letters in this regards to PM Sh Nsarender Modi and Minister of External Affairs Ms Sushma Swraj for immediate help.

Bali said, "Recently, it has come to my attention that two young boys from Kangra District Himachal Pradesh have been detained by the Nigerian Navy since August 2017. Atul Sharma and Sudhir Kumar were serving as sailors on board the commercial sea liner called "sea pearl" that was apprehended by the Nigerian authorities. Taking cognizance of this matter, I have written letters to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj requesting their intervention.” Bali said that All possible efforts will be made to rescue our distressed boys from the foreign country. He added ,”I urge all my fellow Himachali brothers and sisters to pray for the well being of Atul and Sudhir. We hope to see them back with their families soon.”

Two residents of Kangra are among the crew of commercial ship “Sea Pearl” detained by the Nigerian Navy in August.
The locals who were on the ship, owned by a Mumbai-based shipping company, include sailor Atul Sharma, who belongs to Rakkar tehsil, and Sudhir Kumar of Nagrota Bagwan.