Family files police complaint after worker abducted in Mali
HYDERABAD: The family of an Indian worker employed at Diamond cement factory in Mali has approached the local police in Odisha after learning of his suspected abduction by militants in the West African country.
P. Venkataramana (28), who had taken up work at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali in November last year, has remained untraceable since July 1, the day armed militants stormed the factory.
Venkataramana hails from a Telugu family living in Ganjam district of Odisha and his sister lives in Hyderabad.
On Thursday, his mother, P. Narasamma, approached the Hinjili Police Station and lodged a complaint expressing fear for her son’s safety.
Sub-Inspector Sunil of Hinjili police told TOI that a General Diary (GD) entry was made based on Narasamma’s statement. “She said the company initially informed her that her son was taken into police custody. Later, she saw news reports on YouTube claiming he was abducted by militants. She became worried and approached us,” the sub inspector told TOI. However, the police have not registered a First Information Report (FIR) in the case.
The family, currently living in Samarajhol village under Hinjili limits, originally hails from Andhra Pradesh. Narasamma and other relatives speak both Odia and Telugu. Venkatraman’s sister, who lives in Hyderabad, has now joined the family in Ganjam as they await updates.
Company Communication and Growing Concern
According to family members, Venkatramana last spoke to them on June 30. The following day, July 1, they were informed over the phone by company representatives that he had been taken into custody. But reports soon began emerging about a terror attack at the Diamond Cement Factory, allegedly carried out by a group linked to Al-Qaeda.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that three Indian nationals working at the factory were abducted, and that the Indian embassy in Bamako is in contact with local authorities and the company to ensure their release.
“We are very anxious. We don’t know whether he is alive or not. We appeal to the Government of India to bring him back safely,” said M. Ram Krishna, a relative of the abducted worker.
As of now, neither the abductors have made any public demands nor has any militant group officially claimed responsibility for the incident. Indian authorities are continuing diplomatic efforts with the Malian government to trace and rescue the kidnapped citizens.
P. Venkataramana (28), who had taken up work at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali in November last year, has remained untraceable since July 1, the day armed militants stormed the factory.
On Thursday, his mother, P. Narasamma, approached the Hinjili Police Station and lodged a complaint expressing fear for her son’s safety.
Sub-Inspector Sunil of Hinjili police told TOI that a General Diary (GD) entry was made based on Narasamma’s statement. “She said the company initially informed her that her son was taken into police custody. Later, she saw news reports on YouTube claiming he was abducted by militants. She became worried and approached us,” the sub inspector told TOI. However, the police have not registered a First Information Report (FIR) in the case.
The family, currently living in Samarajhol village under Hinjili limits, originally hails from Andhra Pradesh. Narasamma and other relatives speak both Odia and Telugu. Venkatraman’s sister, who lives in Hyderabad, has now joined the family in Ganjam as they await updates.
Company Communication and Growing Concern
According to family members, Venkatramana last spoke to them on June 30. The following day, July 1, they were informed over the phone by company representatives that he had been taken into custody. But reports soon began emerging about a terror attack at the Diamond Cement Factory, allegedly carried out by a group linked to Al-Qaeda.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that three Indian nationals working at the factory were abducted, and that the Indian embassy in Bamako is in contact with local authorities and the company to ensure their release.
“We are very anxious. We don’t know whether he is alive or not. We appeal to the Government of India to bring him back safely,” said M. Ram Krishna, a relative of the abducted worker.
As of now, neither the abductors have made any public demands nor has any militant group officially claimed responsibility for the incident. Indian authorities are continuing diplomatic efforts with the Malian government to trace and rescue the kidnapped citizens.
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