Sons released, its time for prayers, celebrations

The ordeal is finally over for the Kakoty and Dave families. Indorama employee Debasish Kakoty from Sivasagar in Assam and his colleague Sunil Dave

The ordeal is finally over for the Kakoty and Dave families. Indorama employee Debasish Kakoty from Sivasagar in Assam and his colleague Sunil Dave from Surat were handed over to the Rivers State Governor by their captors late on Monday night. The two were abducted on May 19 from the company quarters along with seven others.

In Surat, the overjoyed family members of Sunil Dave performed rituals and celebrated his release with other relatives. 8220;We got the news today morning when my mother, Jayshree, called us to inform that father and Debasish have been released. She was en route Abuja city from Lagos with the company officials,8221; said Dave8217;s son, Arth, a Class XI student.

As the news spread, relatives and local residents turned up at Aditya Row House in Rander, where Dave8217;s two sons stay with his in-laws. 8220;We prayed a lot for his release. Before leaving for school, Arth gave us the good news. Sunil is like our son and Jayshree is our only child. We were worried about his health as he is a diabetic. I am anxiously waiting for Jayshree8217;s call,8221; Dave8217;s mother-in-law, Veerbala Suthar, said.

When contacted, Indorama Company8217;s general manager HR, Hemantkumar said, 8220;We were in contact with the Nigerian Government during these days. The Governor had many talks with the kidnappers and was successful in his attempt.8221; He said they were on the way to Governor8217;s house to meet Sunil and Debashish where the duo will be handed over to them after some formalities.

8220;The Nigerian government is also trying to convince the kidnappers to release other engineers. We have booked tickets to India for Sunil and Debasish and they will be reaching India at the earliest,8221; he added. They, however, refused to comment on the ransom paid for the release.

As news of Debasish8217;s release came in, his mother Kumkum Kakoty said it was God who brought her son back safe. 8220;God heard my prayers, and also prayers of hundreds of wellwishers,8221; she said, expressing gratitude to her neighbours who offered regular prayers at the community prayer hall.

8220;When my daughter-in-law Lata called up from Nigeria this morning to say my son has been released, I knew God had heard my prayers,8221; added Kumkum Kakoty, who has clearly not slept well in the past couple of weeks.

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8220;Our daughter-in-law must have had a more traumatic time, especially with her baby,8221; said Ajit Kakoty, Debasish8217;s father, a retired professor of mathematics of Sivasagar College.

8220;I don8217;t know how to express my feelings. It is only today that I have been able to smile,8221; he told The Indian Express.