TV
In a deeply distressing development, an Odia youth, who was reportedly abducted by Al Qaeda terrorists in the African nation of Mali, remains untraced even after a month of his kidnapping.
The youth, identified as M. Venkata Ramana, hails from Samarjhola village in Hinjilicut block of Ganjam district.
Despite the passage of several weeks since the abduction, there has been no communication or confirmation regarding his safety or whereabouts, leaving his family in a state of despair and anguish back in Odisha.
Family members have appealed to both the Odisha and Central governments to take urgent steps to ensure his safe rescue and return to India. They are urging authorities to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure his release from the clutches of the abductors.
“It has been one month, but there is no news of my son. We had last spoken to him on June 3,0 and on July 1 we found out that he had been abducted. Since then, there has been no contact,” said Ramana’s mother.
Asked about whether there was any intimation from the company where Ramana was engaged, his mother said, “I got a call from the company. I was told that my son was picked up by the police. On July 4, my daughter showed me news footage about my son’s abduction. When I called up the company, they told me not to tell anyone and assured me that my son would return within a week.”
Expressing concern over Ramana’s abduction, his neighbour said, “It’s been a month, there is nowhere about. I request the government to take necessary steps to ensure his safe return.”
