Kidnapped teachers in Libya freed, says Andhra Pradesh leader
Mr Rao issued a media statement saying that both remaining teachers were released
Hyderabad: Telugu Desam representative at the Centre Kambhampati Rammohan Rao jumped the gun about the release of two Telugu professors kidnapped by Islamic State militants in Libya, leaving their families baffled.
Mr Rao issued a media statement in the afternoon saying that prof. Ch. Balram Kishan and Prof. T. Gopikrishna, were released by the militants. His statement led to celebrations in their homes here.
At night AP NRI affairs minister Dr Palle Raghunatha Reddy added to the flutter by stating that the kidnapped professors have been released. However, the ministry of external affairs, which officially notifies such matters, never confirmed the report.
Soon after Mr Rammohan Rao made the statement, his office issued a statement to the media asking them to stop airing the news of the hostages’ release. “The Indian ambassador has requested us to stop reporting on the issue as it is not safe for the two people as they are still in Libya,” the release said.
Joy turned to confusion in the homes of the hostages. Prof. Balram’s wife Sridevi said she called by the embassy in Libya and they told her that they had not got confirmation about the release.