'Visited Holy Places In Jerusalem, Bethlehem': Kerala Farmer, Who Absconded From Israel, Said After Returning To India

He also said that he had informed his family that he was safe and well with the help of someone else as he did not have internet or an international calling facility on his phone

Biju Kurian, a Kerala farmer, who was allegedly missing in Israel returned to India on Monday.

Biju Kurian, a farmer from Kerala, who was part of a 28-member team, led by the Principal Secretary of the agriculture department of the state, that went to learn about foreign farming methods, absconded from Israel on February 17, has on Monday returned to Calicut international airport. 

After the Kerala farmer absconded, Minister Prasad said that the Principal Secretary has informed about this to the Israel police department on Thursday, February 23. "Israel government took this as a serious matter and they are on the way to find the person. We also requested the government to cancel his visa," said minister Prasad as quoted by news agency ANI. 

Biju Kurian, 48, after landing at the Calicut International Airport at around 5 AM, told reporters that he is conveying his apologies to the Kerala government, state Agriculture Minister P Prasad, the 27-member delegation and the officials who were leading it.

After returning to India, the farmer who absconded explained his absence from February 17, when the five-day tour to understand new farming techniques from Israel had gotten over, he told reporters that he had gone to visit holy places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Thereafter, he came to know about news reports that he was missing and so he did not know what to do next, the farmer claimed.

He also said that he had informed his family that he was safe and well with the help of someone else as he did not have internet or an international calling facility on his phone. Subsequently, with his brother's help he returned to India, the farmer said.

Kurian also said his visa was valid till May 8 and therefore, there was no illegality behind his stay back.

Biju Kurian, a farmer from Kerala who was allegedly missing in Israel, arrived at Calicut International Airport today

A group of farmers,incl reps of Kerala govt, went to Israel earlier this month to learn the farming methods in Israel. During the visit, Biju had gone missing https://t.co/lEjKwHnH9t pic.twitter.com/2BZGHX81QG

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2023

After he reportedly went missing, the state Agriculture Minister said that the government will look into the incident. The delegation had gone to Israel on February 12 and Kurian was found to be missing on February 17 after the study got over.

(With PTI inputs)