Una (HP): Parents of Antaryami, who has been held hostage in Iraq along with two other Indians since July 21, today (Aug 13, 2004) began an indefinite hunger strike to protest delay in release of the captives and "inadequate" information from the Government on the talks to free them.

Antaryami's parents Ram Murthi and Bhago Devi, sister Harjinder and some other members of the family began the hunger strike at noon in their house in Dehlan village near Una were soon joined by some villagers.

Ram Das, Antaryami's uncle said their patience was running out, as there was neither any authentic information about the progress of talks nor signs of release of Antaryami, Sukhdeo Singh and Tilka Raj even after 23 days.

"The External Affairs Ministry spokesman has been telling for the last 15 days that talks were progressing. But nothing has come out. We do not even know about the condition of our son and people are agitated," Das said.

He said, "we have resorted to democratic method of protest and are sitting on hunger strike inside our house". It has not yet been decided as to how long the protest would continue, Das said.

Villagers in large numbers gathered outside the house of Antaryami as the news spread about the protest.