Bhubaneswar: P. Venkatraman, a 28-year-old Indian national hailing from Ganjam district in Odisha, is among three Indian workers abducted following a recent attack on the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali. The incident occurred on July 1, when armed militants stormed the factory premises.
Shri Venkatraman, who had been working at the factory since November of last year, last spoke to his family on June 30. His mother, P. Narasamma, lodged a complaint with the Hinjili Police Station in Odisha after company representatives initially informed her that her son was in police custody, only for later reports to suggest he had been abducted by militants.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed the abduction of three Indian nationals and stated that the Indian embassy in Bamako is in close contact with Malian authorities and the factory management to secure their release.
Sources indicate that the attackers are suspected to be linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate active in the region. So far, no group has officially claimed responsibility or made any demands.
Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik has urged External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to personally intervene in the matter for Venkatraman’s swift and safe return.
The family, originally from Andhra Pradesh but now residing in Samarajhol village, remains deeply anxious, appealing to the Indian government for their son’s safe repatriation.
The Diamond Cement Factory is owned by the Hyderabad-based Prasaditya Group, and senior officials from the company have reportedly traveled to Mali to cooperate with local law enforcement. Indian authorities are continuing diplomatic efforts with the Malian government to trace and rescue the abducted citizens.