The Andhra Pradesh administration on Sunday urged the Assam government to take quick steps for the safe release of Bandlamudi Naga Malleshwara Rao, an engineer from Hyderabad, who was reportedly kidnapped by a group of Bodo militants in Assam.
Rao has disappeared since 17 June from the Maibang area in Dima Hasao district. He works for a private construction company based in Hyderabad and was deputed to the hilly area of Maibang on company duty.
A five-member militant group allegedly kidnapped Rao. The militants reportedly called the company manager the next day (18 June) and demanded a ransom of ₹6 crore for Rao's release.
On the instructions of AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, State Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao spoke to the Assam DGP and urged him to take steps for the release of the kidnapped engineer.
Meanwhile, the company, Vasishta Constructions, informed Rao's family members in Hyderabad that it is taking all possible steps for his release. There is a possibility of the militants releasing Rao by 23 June, claim reports.
Rao is a native of KV Palem of Chimakurthy in Prakasam district of AP. After the death of his wife a year ago, Rao joined the company and left for the Assam workstation, leaving his two children with his relatives in Hyderabad.
Deputy CM Asks Maoists to Join Mainstream
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa on Sunday appealed to the Maoists to abandon the extremism and join the mainstream people in the state.
Rajappa, who took charge of his ministry on Sunday, stated that maintaining law and order would be his top priority. The minister said that he is open to holding talks with the Maoists. The extremists should come back and join the mainstream in the state, he added.
