The CPI (M) workers of Kottayam district in Kerala have sent around 50,000 postcards to PM Narendra Modi seeking his intervention for the release of priest Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, abducted by the Islamic State.

The district leadership told media that the act was a protest against the central government for not taking any initiatives to rescue the priest. On Monday, the postcards were sent from around 400 post offices in the district.

“Even nine months after the priest has been abducted, the government has not taken the issue seriously,“ said Vasavan, CPI (M) Kottayal district Secretary, The Times of India quotes. He urged intervention at the international level for the release of the priest, says the report.

The campaign was inaugurated by Vasan at the district head post office. Another protest by the party will be held on Thursday at 4 pm.

A five minute-six second video of Fr Tom George Uzhunnalil was released on December 26, where the priest appearing pale is heard speaking softly in a measured tone asking why no one seems to be doing anything to free him from the custody of his captors.

In the video, he said that neither the Indian government nor the Catholic Church appeared to be negotiating for his freedom. He believes this may have something to do with him being an Indian and considered to be of not much value.