Mangalore: Nayeem's Arrival Sparks Celebration - Family on Cloud Nine
by Melka Miyar - Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MSP)
Mangalore, May 28: Mohammad Nayeem has finally reached independent India and is rejoicing his freedom after a month-long life full of struggle, suffering and uncertainties in Afghanistan. This feels like a rebirth for him. Nearly 99% of those kidnapped in Afghanistan never came back alive since 2003, Nayeem says. Therefore, he is a relaxed man now, groping for words to praise and thank the Lord for saving his life.
When he reached his house at Sarang in Suralpadi, he totally felt like a free bird, in the knowledge that no one will abduct him again, ever. He has lost about 10 kgs during his ordeal in Afghanistan. But he is totally at peace with himself now and found to be busy chatting with his friends and parents at Sarang.
In spite of his busy schedule of receiving and speaking to friends and well wishers, Nayeem was ready to unfold to the media, his experiences during the days he spent in captivity.
The abduction was totally an unexpected incident for them. He had been working there for the last five years. Therefore, he knows the environment in Afghanistan in and out. The Afghanistanis are good in nature and well behaved. But a new trend that has emerged in Afghanistan, is of kidnapping and killing people for ransom.
A total of four armed persons suddenly stopped their vehicle at about 6 pm on April 21. Immediately, they dragged Nayeem, a Nepali and an Afghan citizen out of the vehicle in which they were travelling, and hit Nayeem's forehead twice with the butt of an AK-47 rifle and put him in the boot of the car after tying his hands. He could sense then the vehicle was travelling on a rough road. When they realized that one of them was a citizen of Afghanistan, they dropped him little later, on the road.
Later, Nayeem had to walk for five days with the abductors. The abductors were heavily armed. But they carried no food. He survived by eating wild fruits, berries and grass and drinking water using the cap of a bottle, as they had only a little water. He had to sleep on the rocks since their journey was through the mountains.
After five days, they reached a place where a group of people started firing at them indiscriminately. All of them including the abductors started running. One of the abductors convinced the group and later the group stopped firing. According to Nayeem, that group had allegiance with the abductors.
Finally they reached a house from where he spoke to Sunil Shetty through mobile, just to say that he is alive.
It was scary life for him for weeks. The abductors were always posing threats of killing him. He had to survive on some dry rotis. The abductors were preferring arms than food. They were inhuman in nature and always covered their faces with masks. They never took bath. Even Nayeem had no bath till he reached back, Nayeem said, recalling his horrible experience.
One of the abductors questioned Nayeem the objective of Indians in working in Afghanistan. Nayeem politely replied them that the Indians are working all over the world and that the Indians were there for the betterment of Afghanistanis.
Interestingly, the abductors had great passion for Hindi movies. The abductors used to recall the dialogues of a Hindi movie ‘Sholay'. Gabbar Singh was their favourite character from this movie, Nayeem informs.
But he does not know why he was abducted and what was going on behind the scenes. One fine day, Afghan commandos started operation against these abductors and rescued Nayeem and the other captive. But he believes that the Afghan commandos carried out operation owing to the pressure put by the Indian government and feels that Sonia Gandhi is responsible for his release. One can recall that Nayeems’ parents had met Sonia Gandhi on May 13 and pleaded her to arrange for the release of Nayeem.
About four thousand Indians are working in Afghanistan. Calculated risk continues to be present in that country, says Nayeem. Therefore, one should be careful while in that country. But he did not give any specific reply when asked as to whether he will be going back to Afghanistan again.
Now the entire family of Nayeem is busy celebrating his rebirth. Tears rolled down the cheeks of his wife Rafa Sultana when media persons tried to speak to her. But her tears stood for the suffering she faced during the last few weeks. Their children Ambar Sultana, Rumana Sultana and Mohammad Ali, Nayeem's parents Sarang Mohammad Hussain and Chand Sultana were overjoyous. Nayeem recalls with gratitude the role of Sunil Shetty, director of HEB Logistics, who worked day and night for securing his release. Nayeem also says, that he does not want to leave HEB Logistics, for which he was working.
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