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EXCLUSIVE
IS ‘crucifies abducted Indian Catholic priest’
P26 2nd April to 8th April 2016
SADIQ KHAN: TAKING THE MAYORAL BATTLE ON Vol 44 | Issue 46
Let noble thoughts come to us from every side
P5 www.asian-voice.com
Royal Couple's Indian Odyssey
Easter bombing kills 75, hurts 300 in Pakistan
The Islamic State reportedly crucified kidnapped Indian Catholic priest Father Thomas Uzhunnali, 56, on Good Friday, confirmed by the Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna. Father Thomas was abducted while the jihadists attacked a retirement home run by the Missionaries of Charity in Aden on March 4. The jihadists killed 16 people, including four nuns, during the attack. The execution was symbolic as it is said to be done by the same method the Romans used to kill Jesus. While the Indian government is yet to confirm the killing, media reports said Father Thomas was tortured before he was crucified. Father Thomas is a Catholic priest from the Kottayam district of Kerala who worked with Mother Teresa's Missionaries Of Charity. Sources from India’s ministry of external affairs said the Centre has been trying its best to get information, but is yet to get any confirmation. It also got in touch with the
Vatican, which remains just as much in the dark about the Father's whereabouts. The news came to light after a South Africa-based religious group, the Franciscan Sisters of Siessen claimed in a Facebook post last week, that they were informed the priest was being tortured and that the IS has planned his crucifixion on Good Friday. Christian website Aleteia published a handwritten account of the IS attack on the old age home, by a nun who witnessed the entire event. She claimed five young Ethiopian Christian men
Continued on p26
Father Thomas Uzhunnali
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Charusmita
A week prior to The Queen's 90th birthday, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will undertake official visits to India and Bhutan from 10-16 April. The Duke and Duchess are honoured to be carrying out this visit on Her Majesty’s behalf. This will be the first time The Duke and Duchess will be visiting either country. This tour is being carried out at the request of Her Majesty's Government. In India, they will focus on understanding the country as it is today – a vibrant, entrepre-
neurial, aspirational nation that faces both its challenges and huge opportunities with confidence. Initiating a personal relationship with the country, The Duke and Duchess will pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and India. The visit to Bhutan comes less than a decade after the historic decision, led by the Fourth King, to establish a democratic, Constitutional Monarchy in the country. The timing of this visit to build on the friendly relations between the UK and Bhutan is certainly propitious. Continued on page 7