Ganjam, Odisha: A widowed mother in Odisha’s Ganjam district has made an emotional appeal to the Indian government after losing contact with her son, P. Venkatraman, 28, who was working at a cement factory in Kayes, Mali, amid a wave of terrorist violence in the West African nation.
Venkatraman’s mother, P. Narasama, a resident of Samarajhol village under Hinjili police station limits, informed police that her son’s phone has been switched off since June 30, raising fears that he may be among the three Indian nationals abducted by the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group.
🧾 Incident Timeline:
- 📅 June 30: Narasama last spoke with her son over the phone.
- 📞 July 4: She receives a call from the company saying he is in “police custody” — raising more questions than answers.
- ⚠️ Meanwhile, the Indian government confirmed on July 2 that three Indians were abducted on July 1 from a cement plant in Kayes, Mali.
- 🔗 The JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin) group, affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on Malian army positions, including the cement facility.
💬 Voices from the Ground:
“I am very much worried about the fate of my son. I request the government for his safe release,” said Narasama, in her complaint to Hinjili police.
“We fear Venkatraman may be among those abducted. We need immediate action,” said M. Ram Krushna, a family member.
🛡️ Official Response:
- Odisha’s Principal Resident Commissioner Vishal Gagan confirmed that the state is in close contact with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Mali.
“We have moved the Indian Embassy in Mali after getting reports about the abduction,” he said.
🇮🇳 India’s Stance:
The MEA released a strong statement condemning the incident:
“The government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the Republic of Mali to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals.”
⚠️ Background:
Mali has seen increasing extremist violence, particularly from JNIM, which often targets foreigners and industrial sites. The security situation in Kayes and surrounding regions remains volatile.
📢 Call for Action:
With Venkatraman untraceable and his family in distress, the local and central governments are under pressure to verify his safety status, confirm if he is among the abducted hostages, and accelerate diplomatic efforts to bring him home safely.
👉 Bottom Line:
The Ganjam family’s plea for their son’s safe return highlights the growing concerns for Indian workers in conflict zones abroad. As India seeks answers, all eyes are on the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Mali to ensure their citizens are protected and rescued swiftly.