One week has passed since three Indian men were kidnapped in Mali, leaving their families in distress and seeking information on their safety. The Indian government is coordinating with local authorities as fears grow over rising violence in the region.
Families in Turmoil as Indians Remain Missing After Mali Kidnapping
Families in Turmoil as Indians Remain Missing After Mali Kidnapping
Families express growing concern for the safety of three Indian nationals abducted in Mali, while authorities remain silent on updates.
Families are reeling from anxiety and uncertainty one week after three Indian nationals were kidnapped in Mali. The men, who worked at a cement factory operated by the Indian conglomerate Prasaditya Group, were reportedly abducted by armed assailants last Tuesday. Despite the Indian Ministry of External Affairs acknowledging the circumstances of the kidnapping, families of the abducted individuals say they remain in the dark regarding their loved ones' safety and whereabouts.
The incident occurred amid a surge of violence in Mali, where the terrorist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for a series of violent attacks on military installations. With around 400 Indians residing in Mali, the anxiety among families has escalated, particularly since another group of five Indian citizens was kidnapped in Niger earlier this year during a similar outbreak of violence.
The Global Terrorism Index has categorized the Sahel region, which includes Mali, as a significant area for global terrorism. As the local population, and notably the Indian diaspora, grapples with this reality, the Indian government has advised expatriates to practice caution and stay connected with their Embassy in Bamako.
Details surrounding the location of the abduction indicate that the men were taken from the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes city, amidst chaos echoed by local gunfire during the attack. The factory has yet to issue any formal statement regarding the kidnapping, although inquiries about their reaction have been made.
Family members of those missing have expressed their fears and frustrations. For instance, Narsamma, the mother of engineer Panad Venkatramana, shared the last conversation she had with her son before he went missing. With support from local political figures, including former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, the families are increasingly vocal about their need for immediate action to ensure the safe return of their loved ones.
In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, relatives of Amaralingaeswara Rao, another of the abducted men, are clinging to hope that he will return home soon. His father reflected on the sacrifices his son made to support the family, emphasizing their desperate need for information as they await any updates on his fate.
