Kumar Prashant

Patna, Feb. 22: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today wrote a letter to the minister of external affairs S.M. Krishna, requesting him to take all possible steps for the early release of mariner Kumar Prashant and the rest of the crew on MV Shinin vessel.

The Somali pirates in the north of Arabian Sea had hijacked the ship in mid-February.

In his letter, Nitish has written: “Prashant is a bright man and is an inspiration for the people of Bihar. The abduction may demotivate many who might be thinking of a career in the merchant navy.”

Nitish yesterday had assured that the state government would surely take up the matter with the Union government.

“The central government must take concrete steps to ensure the release of the crew members on board the cargo vessel. The state government will ask the Centre to take strong steps fast,” CM had said.