Phulbani: Six youths of Khajuripada block in Kandhamal district who had gone to work in Andhra Pradesh were reportedly abducted there by some local anti-socials over unknown reasons, reports said.
The matter came to the light Tuesday after the abductees’ families approached the District Collector, the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the District Labour Officer (DLO), seeking their intervention in the matter.
Meanwhile, some relatives of the youths left for Andhra Pradesh after hearing the news. The kidnapped youths were identified as Babula Behera, Prasant Behera, Rohit Behera, Rasanand Behera, Tarani Behra and Varun Behera.
According to sources, the six of Khaligudri village under Balaskumpha panchayat had gone to work in a fish processing unit in the neighbouring state. However, over some unknown reasons, the six were abducted from a railway station by some locals.
The miscreants kept the youths at an undisclosed location and inflicted torture on them, the victim’s family members said.
“We received a phone call from the boys. The person at the other side of the phone threatened us and called us to Andhra, if we want the safety of our children,” a victim’s mother revealed adding that they were unaware of the reason and the motive behind the abduction.
When contacted, the DLO Narendra Raika said that he had received the complaint. “However, we are not sure as to who have kidnapped the youths and the reason thereof. We will lodge a complaint with the railway station police from where the boys were kidnapped and take further steps for their rescue,” Raika added.
