Latest news with #PVenkataraman
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Why did al-Qaida linked terrorist group abduct Indians in Mali? Relative shares chilling account
The family of P Venkataraman , a resident of Odisha's Ganjam district and one of the three Indians kidnapped by an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group in Mali, has said that the abductors are demanding ransom. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Venkataraman's brother-in-law said, 'Venkat last called me on June 30. He worked at a cement factory in Mali, West Africa. He said the company had restricted their movement because terrorists were nearby. This kidnapping happened on July 1.' Initially, the family was informed that Venkataraman was in police custody following a fire at the factory allegedly set by terrorists. However, they later learned that he had been abducted. 'We got a call from the company saying he and some others were in police custody because terrorists had set the factory on fire. But then international news reports claimed that al-Qaeda had kidnapped people. When we called the company to confirm, they asked us not to leak the information and said the terrorists were demanding ransom,' the brother-in-law said. He added, 'We waited for a few days and then approached the police. I also called and emailed the embassy but got no response. I demand that my brother-in-law be brought back home safely.' Live Events Confirming the incident, Sub-Collector Shibashish Baral told ANI, 'Information about the abduction was reported by the family, and the local administration immediately reached out to them. The government has been informed and is taking necessary steps.' The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed grave concern over the abduction of the three Indian workers from a factory in Mali's Kayes region. In a statement on Wednesday, the MEA urged Malian authorities to ensure their "safe and expeditious" rescue. 'It has come to the knowledge of the Government of India that many military and government installations at multiple locations in western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists on July 1,' the MEA said. The assault also targeted the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, where the Indian nationals were employed. Calling the act 'deplorable,' the MEA condemned the incident and reiterated India's strong opposition to violence against its citizens abroad. It said the Indian embassy in Bamako is in 'close and constant communication' with Malian authorities, law enforcement, and the management of the Diamond Cement Factory, as well as with the families of the abducted individuals. With inputs from ANI
The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
Odisha youth abducted by Al-Qaeda in Mali says terrorists demanding ransom
He added that initially the company had informed them that his brother-in-law is in police custody after the terrorists set fire to the factory; however, later they came to know about the abduction and were asked not to leak the information. The brother-in-law told ANI on Saturday, 'Venkat last called me on June 30. He worked in a cement factory in Mali, West Africa. He said his company had stopped them from going out as terrorists were present. This kidnapping incident happened on July 1.' Ganjam (Odisha) : Brother in law of P Venkataraman, a resident of Odisha's Ganjam district who is among the three Indians abducted by an al-Qaeda linked terrorist group in West Africa's Mali has said that the terrorists are demanding ransom. 'We got a call from the company that he and some others are in police custody as terrorists have set the factory on fire. An international news claimed that Al-Qaeda had kidnapped some people. We called the company to confirm this, and they refused us to leak this information and said that the terrorists are demanding ransom in exchange for the people,' he said. 'We waited for a few days and then complained to the police. I called and mailed the embassy, but did not get any response. I demand that my brother-in-law be brought back home safely,' Venkataraman's brother-in-law told ANI. Earlier on Saturday, Sub-Collector Shibashish Baral told ANI, 'Information about the abduction of a person was reported by the kin, and immediately, the local administration reached them. It has been informed that the government is taking necessary steps.' Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over the abduction of three Indian workers from a factory in Mali's Kayes region and urged authorities in the West African country to ensure their 'safe and expeditious' rescue. 'It has come to the knowledge of the Government of India that many military and government installations at multiple locations of western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists on July 1,' the MEA said in a statement on Wednesday. The armed attack took place at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes. Condemning the incident, the MEA said the Indian embassy in Bamako is in constant contact with local authorities, security agencies, and the families of the abducted workers. In its statement, the MEA described the act as 'deplorable' and reaffirmed India's strong stand against violence targeting its citizens abroad. 'The Embassy of India in Bamako is in close and constant communication with the relevant authorities of the Government of Mali, local law enforcement agencies, as well as the management of Diamond Cement Factory,' the MEA statement read.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Al-Qaeda linked group abducts 3 Odisha youth in Mali; relative narrates ordeal
An Al-Qaeda-linked group in Mali has abducted three Indian nationals, including P Venkataraman from Odisha, and is reportedly demanding ransom for their release. The abduction occurred during an attack on the Diamond Cement Factory, prompting concern from the Ministry of External Affairs. Indian embassy is working closely with Malian authorities to secure the safe return of the abducted workers. Show more Show less
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
"Terrorists Are Demanding Ransom": Relative Of Odisha Man Kidnapped In Mali
Ganjam (Odisha): Brother in law of P Venkataraman, a resident of Odisha's Ganjam district who is among the three Indians abducted by an al-Qaeda linked terrorist group in West Africa's Mali has said that the terrorists are demanding ransom. The brother-in-law told ANI on Saturday, "Venkat last called me on June 30. He worked in a cement factory in Mali, West Africa. He said his company had stopped them from going out as terrorists were present. This kidnapping incident happened on July 1." He added that initially the company had informed them that his brother-in-law is in police custody after the terrorists set fire to the factory; however, later they came to know about the abduction and were asked not to leak the information. "We got a call from the company that he and some others are in police custody as terrorists have set the factory on fire. An international news claimed that Al-Qaeda had kidnapped some people. We called the company to confirm this, and they refused us to leak this information and said that the terrorists are demanding ransom in exchange for the people," he said. "We waited for a few days and then complained to the police. I called and mailed the embassy, but did not get any response. I demand that my brother-in-law be brought back home safely," Venkataraman's brother-in-law told ANI. Earlier on Saturday, Sub-Collector Shibashish Baral told ANI, "Information about the abduction of a person was reported by the kin, and immediately, the local administration reached them. It has been informed that the government is taking necessary steps." Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over the abduction of three Indian workers from a factory in Mali's Kayes region and urged authorities in the West African country to ensure their "safe and expeditious" rescue. "It has come to the knowledge of the Government of India that many military and government installations at multiple locations of western and central Mali were attacked by terrorists on July 1," the MEA said in a statement on Wedneday. The armed attack took place at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes. Condemning the incident, the MEA said the Indian embassy in Bamako is in constant contact with local authorities, security agencies, and the families of the abducted workers. In its statement, the MEA described the act as "deplorable" and reaffirmed India's strong stand against violence targeting its citizens abroad. "The Embassy of India in Bamako is in close and constant communication with the relevant authorities of the Government of Mali, local law enforcement agencies, as well as the management of Diamond Cement Factory," the MEA statement read.
New Indian Express
2 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.
