Relief, after two decades in Oman jail

After languishing in an Oman jail for two decades, Santhosh Kumar, 46, a native of Kakkazham, near Ambalappuzha, returned home on Friday. A jubilant mood prevailed at Kakkazham, with lots of people, including his extended family members, flocking to the Vadake Velluparambil house to meet him. A public reception was accorded to him in the evening. Speaking to reporters later, Santhosh said he was happy to have returned home. “All these years, the governments had done nothing to get me released. I want to thank social activist Thayyil Habeeb and all others who helped me in the time of difficulty,” he said. Santhosh first joined his elder brother Mahesan in Oman in early 90s as a 19-year-old. He returned home once, in 1994, on leave and went back to Oman the same year. Along with another Keralite, he was soon imprisoned there in connection with a murder case. Sources said Santhosh was arrested following the murder of two security personnel who had witnessed a bank robbery. The weapon used for the murder was recovered from the shop where Santhosh was working. While four Pakistani nationals had been sentenced to death for the murder, Santhosh and his friend were imprisoned. The family maintained all through that Santhosh was innocent and wrongly implicated in the case. Although initial attempts to get him freed from jail failed, last month his brother was allowed to visit him in prison. An attempt for his release was relaunched with the help of Mr. Habeeb and the Indian embassy. Much to the relief of the family, he was released from prison last week and sent back home. Source: The Hindu