Libya adbuction: Two teachers from Karnataka arrive today

Bengaluru/Raichur: The two teachers from Karnataka, who were released by ISIS militants in Libya on Friday, will reach New Delhi on Tuesday and will meet officials at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before reaching Bengaluru and Hyderabad on Wednesday.

“Mr Vijay Kumar and Mr Lakshmikanth reportedly left Tunisia around 3 pm and will reach the Dubai airport at 10 on Monday night,” Ms Vijay Lakshmi, Mr Laksmikanth’s sister, and Mr Hemant Kumar, Mr Vijay Kumar’s brother, confirmed to Deccan Chronicle.

“They waited in Sirte, Libya, all these days for the release of their colleagues, Mr T. Gopikrishna and Mr Balaram. But as their release will take some more time, Mr Vijay Kumar and Mr Lakshmikanth are returning to India,” said Mr Hemanth Kumar.

The two teachers will land in New Delhi from Dubai either on Monday night or early Tuesday morning, depending on the flight timing. On Tuesday morning, they will apprise MEA officials of their abduction and release in Libya. Mr Vijay Kumar will then catch a flight to Bengaluru, while Mr Lakshmikanth will head to Hyderabad, as his native Raichur is closer from Hyderabad, said a family member of Mr Lakshmikanth.

The fate of other two staffers of Sirte University who were abducted on July 29 still hangs in the balance as there is no information available about their wellbeing either from officials of Sirte University or other sources.

Ms Sunitha, Mr Vijay Kumar’s wife, said, “My husband told me that he will reach India on Tuesday. I am not sure at what time he will reach Bengaluru as he has to give his statements to the Ministry of External Affairs. I and our sons are anxiously waiting to see him.”

Lakshmikanth waiting for flight confirmation

Prof Lakshmikanth, an assistant professor at Sirte University in Libya, who was abducted and released by ISIS militants, is waiting for flight confirmation to return to India. Dr Prathibha, abducted professor’s wife, said that Lakshmikanth, who has crossed over to Tunis, is waiting for the flight to return to India.

“He told me that he would call me soon after his flight to India is confirmed. I’m waiting for his call,” said Dr Prathibha. She said it was not confirmed yet whether Prof Lakshmikanth would land in Bengaluru, Hyderabad or any other city. “That depends on the availability of flight,” she said.