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NAVELIM GOA

NAT29National/Society/CrimeGoan sailor released by pirates expected home within fortnightNavelim Goa, Oct 11 IANS An Indian sailor from Goa, who was one of the 26 crewmembers of an Iranian cargo ship released by Somali pirates, is expected back home within a fortnight his mother said Saturday, adding that he will probably return to his job.Anthony Clive Themudo's mother Mercy told IANS that God had finally answered her prayers. "His company officials had called first, informing us about his release. Then Anthony called. How can I describe to you the joy I felt," Mercy exclaimed. Anthony was one of the three Indians among the 26 crew members of MV Iran Deyanat to be released Friday.Mercy said Anthony alias Tony would be back in Goa within a fortnight. "They have been taken ashore. After some formalities he will come back to Goa," Mercy said.She said the hijack ordeal which lasted for about a month-and-a-half had taken an emotional toll on the Themudo family, which resides in Navelim, south Goa. Asked if she would allow Themudo to pursue his career as a sailor once he returned, she said there was no other alternative. "I cannot ask him to stay back. There is nothing much to do here for a trained sailor."The region of Salcete in south Goa has a seafaring tradition going back the last couple of centuries. Goa's lone Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has demanded the development of an international mechanism to meet the increasing dangers of piracy in international waters. He expressed surprise that in India's recently drafted maritime policy, there was no mention of piracy. "Our laws and policies must address piracy," he has said in a press note issued Friday. MV Iran Deyanat was hijacked on the Red Sea by Somali priates one-and-a-half months back. Three other ships are still reported to be in the custody of pirates.--Indo-Asian News Servicemb/pg/jg343 Words*11101507