House Demands Hutchings’ Release

Spokane psychologist Donald Hutchings and three other Western tourists kidnapped nearly two years ago in Kashmir should be released or their fate should be explained, the U.S. House of Representatives decided Tuesday.

The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.

Introduced by Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane, the resolution calls for the unconditional release of the hostages by the guerrilla group Al-Faran.

It also calls on the Indian and Pakistani governments to work with the United States, Great Britain and Germany - other countries whose citizens were captured by Al-Faran - to work together and share information on the kidnapping.

Hutchings and the others were kidnapped in July 1995. The guerrilla group demanded the Indian government release 21 prisoners. When the government refused, the group threatened to kill the hostages, then broke off communication.

, DataTimes