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New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ganjam youth's abduction in Mali: Admin in touch with MEA
BERHAMPUR: Twenty-eight-year-old P Venkataraman's abduction at the hands of an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group in Mali has left the family in throes of despair and fear of the unknown. While the administration has swung into action, keeping contact with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Leader of Opposition and Hinjilicut MLA Naveen Patnaik has appealed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and ensure the safe release of the abducted youth. Venkataraman, who belongs to Samarjholo village under Hinjili police limits, was apparently abducted on July 1. He was working at the Diamond Cement Company's plant in the West African country for the last six months after being employed by Blue Star. He was in regular contact with his family until recently. Heavily armed terrorists affiliated with Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group, attacked the cement factory and abducted three Indian workers, including Venkataraman. The identities of the other two abductees have not yet been officially disclosed. The 28-year-old's family reportedly received a call from his employer informing them that Venkataraman was under police custody. However, they later learned through social media that he had in fact been kidnapped by a terrorist group.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Family anxiously awaits safe return of Odisha man abducted by Al-Qaeda linked terror group in West Africa's Mali
BERHAMPUR: Panic gripped Samarjhola village under Hinjili police limits in Ganjam district following the report that P Venkataraman of the area was among the three Indians abducted by a terror group linked to Al-Qaeda in West Africa's Mali. Venkataraman (28) was employed by Blue Star and had been working at the Diamond Cement Company in western Mali for the past six months. He was in regular contact with his family until they received a call from the company authorities about his alleged arrest. Soon after, the family learned that he had been kidnapped by some terrorists. His mother P Narasama (50) said she had last spoken to him on June 30. 'There is no communication from him thereafter. His phone number is unreachable now. We are worried after knowing that he has been abducted by a terrorist outfit. We have filed a report with Hinjilicut police station seeking his safe return,' she said. On July 3, Narasama had received a call from her son's employer, who informed that he was under police custody. But later they came to know through social media about his abduction. Receiving the information, relatives of Venkataraman have reached his home in Samarjhola. All are anxiously waiting and praying for his safe return.
