By Martin Shwenk Leade
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The family of P Venkataraman, a resident of Odisha鈥檚 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鈥檚 brother-in-law said, 鈥淰enkat 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.鈥滻nitially, 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.鈥淲e 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,鈥 the brother-in-law said.He added, 鈥淲e 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.鈥滾ive EventsConfirming the incident, Sub-Collector Shibashish Baral told ANI, 鈥淚nformation 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.鈥漈he Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed grave concern over the abduction of the three Indian workers from a factory in Mali鈥檚 Kayes region. In a statement on Wednesday, the MEA urged Malian authorities to ensure their “safe and expeditious” rescue.鈥淚t 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,鈥 the MEA said. The assault also targeted the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, where the Indian nationals were employed.Calling the act 鈥渄eplorable,鈥 the MEA condemned the incident and reiterated India鈥檚 strong opposition to violence against its citizens abroad. It said the Indian embassy in Bamako is in 鈥渃lose and constant communication鈥 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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onIndian workers abducted in MaliMali terrorist attackransom demandDiamond Cement Factory MaliMinistry of External Affairs IndiaP VenkataramanMalian authorities
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onIndian workers abducted in MaliMali terrorist attackransom demandDiamond Cement Factory MaliMinistry of External Affairs IndiaP VenkataramanMalian authorities(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless
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