Sailing through: Kumar Prashant

Patna, April 24: The family members of the officer of the ship hijacked by Somalian pirates three months ago have got a fresh glimmer of hope to cling to.

More than three months have elapsed since Patna resident Kumar Prashant fell into the hands of Somalian pirates along with 10 other crew members. Prashant’s family hopes some sort of positive feedback by next week.

The family told The Telegraph today that the shipping company, whose vessel was hijacked, is apparently holding the last round of negotiations and things would become clearer by next week.

Kumar Nishant, Prashant’s younger brother, said he had got feelers about the continuing negotiations reaching almost the last leg.

On April 9, Prashant called up the family and informed that things had worsened. The pirates had purportedly told the crew members that hardly any step was being taken.

“We have come to know that Irano Hind Shipping Company is holding frequent talks with the pirates and a decision could be taken any time next week. My brother-in-law in New Delhi had a talk with the company officials. They assured that the negotiations were reaching the last leg. This has brought back our hopes,” he said.

Nishant added that with things looking up, he had also contacted the families of other crew members and would be leaving for New Delhi soon.

“I am in touch with at least seven families whose relatives are trapped on the vessel. I know that things are still hazy and a bit premature even now. But at least, some good news has come after a long time. The company people have assured us that the outcome of the negotiations would be positive. I would be leaving for New Delhi very soon so that I can talk and see for myself the steps being taken,” he said.

Nishant, however, said he did not get any more calls from his brother.

A second officer with MV Shinin, a cargo vessel owned by Irano Hind Shipping Company that is based in Iran, the cargo vessel carrying a large quantity of iron ore had started its journey from Fujairah, an emirate in the United Arab Emirates, for Singapore, only to be hijacked on February 12 this year.

Altogether, there are 10 Indians and 13 Iranian nationals on the vessel.

Earlier, in talks with The Telegraph, Nishant had said he had got a call from his brother at around 1.30am on April 9, in which he had said that the conditions had worsened with only two days of food supplies left. He quoted the pirates who said that no negotiation was taking place.

“We are looking towards any sign of light of hope we come across. The pirates’ move could be a ploy to exert more pressure,” Nishant said.

He added that the Shipping Corporation of India has a 49 per cent share in Irano Hind Shipping Company.

Prashant and his wife Prerna have a two-year-old daughter, Avani. Prerna is with her family in New Delhi at present.