THERE is little doubt that there are people in India who know the fate of Paul Wells and his three fellow hostages.

Once again we appeal to them to them to pass on that knowledge to the authorities.

They owe it to the families of the hostages and the rest of humanity.

Here was a party of young people taking part in what should have been the adventure of a lifetime, back-packing across the harsh but beautiful terrain of Kashmir.

They were snatched by a separatist movement who obviously thought captured Westerners would increase their bargaining power with the Indian authorities.

But what have they achieved? Absolutely nothing.

Like most governments the Indians have refused to negotiate with terrorists, even though the stakes are high.

Perfectly innocent people who have nothing to do with the squabble over borders on the Indian sub-continent have been torn away from their families and friends.

The relatives of the hostages have been put through sheer hell.

Rumour and counter rumour emerging from the remote villages in the mountains of Kashmir have raised hopes and then dashed them again.

The anxiety for the hostages has spread further than their immediate families.

Here in East Lancashire, people have formed an affinity with the Wells family.

No doubt folk in the communities close to the other hostages have formed similar links with their families.

They too have felt the pain and anguish of not knowing what has become of these young men.

The mental torture has gone on too long.

The Indian government must pull out all the stops to find out what exactly has happened to Paul Wells and his friends.

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