Odisha youth among Indians abducted by Al-Qaeda-linked terror group in Mali; family appeals for rescue

An Odia youth is among three Indian nationals who have reportedly been abducted by a terror outfit linked to Al-Qaeda in the West African nation of Mali. The incident has triggered shock and anxiety in the victim’s hometown, as well as urgent calls for intervention by Indian authorities.

The abducted youth has been identified as P. Venkataraman, a native of Samarajhola village in Hinjilicut, Ganjam district of Odisha . Venkataraman was employed with a private firm named ‘Blue Star’ and had been working in Mali for the past six months. He was deputed to the West African country to work with Diamond Cement Company, which operates a large plant in western Mali.

As per initial reports, the Odia youth was in regular touch with his family. Recently, his mother got a call from the Company about her son’s arrest. Later, the family got information that he has been kidnapped by terror groups. Subsequently, they lodged an FIR in connection with the incident at the local police station.

According to reports, on July 1, heavily armed terrorists affiliated with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group, launched a brutal attack on the Diamond Cement factory. 

Following the attack, three Indian workers, including Venkataraman, were forcibly abducted by the militants. The identities of the other two abducted Indians are yet to be officially confirmed.

Back in Odisha, the incident has left Venkataraman’s family devastated. His mother has lodged a formal complaint with the Hinjilicut police station, pleading with the authorities to ensure her son’s safe and immediate return. She has urged both the Odisha state government and the Central government to take all necessary diplomatic and strategic measures to rescue her son from terrorist captivity.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the abduction in strong terms and assured that the Indian government is in touch with the Malian authorities.

“All efforts are being made through diplomatic and security channels to secure the safe release of the abducted Indian nationals,” said an MEA spokesperson in an official statement. The Ministry has also advised the Malian government to take urgent and decisive steps to track down the perpetrators and rescue the hostages.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of increasing terrorist activities in Mali, particularly in its northern and western regions. For several years now, Mali has been grappling with violence fuelled by extremist Islamic groups that have created instability across the Sahel region. Foreign nationals, particularly those working in infrastructure and industrial projects, are frequent targets of abduction and violence.

As pressure mounts on diplomatic channels, families of the abducted Indians await updates with bated breath. Local leaders and civil society members in Odisha have also called upon the government to step up its efforts to bring Venkataraman home safely.

The situation remains tense as the Indian government continues its coordination with international partners and Malian authorities to ensure the safety and release of the kidnapped nationals.