Search operation continues to rescue two NCL officials

Vijayawada, June 21 (UNI) Special police teams were conducting vigorous search operations to rescue Nagarjuna Cement Limited (NCL) General Manager U V Rama Raju and his personal officer Ghalib Saheb, who were kidnapped by six armed miscreants from the construction site at Kadimpotavaram on the night of June 19.

Police sources told UNI here today the extensive search operations were on in Sattupalli and Kothagudem areas, as the kidnappers reportedly took the two officials to Khammam district after their abduction.

The kidnappers called the NCL Management yesterday and demanded huge money as ransom to release the employees. However, NCL Managing Director K Ravi, refused to comment on the demand.

The kidnappers have not been identified so far, though police were investigating all angles, including the involvement of any maoist group in the episode.

Krishna District Superintendent of Police M K Singh said there had been no communication with the kidnappers so far. ''We are taking the help of the police in neighbouring districts to nab the kidnappers,'' he added.

Meanwhile, it was an agonising wait for the family members of Mr Raju at their Mutyalampadu residence in the city.

Mr Raju's family members requested the kidnappers to release both Mr Raju and Mr Galib. In an appeal, Mr Raju's wife Vijayalakshmi and her two sons Suresh and Arjun urged the kidnappers not to harm them.

They said Mr Raju was working with the NCL since 1983 and had left the company a few months ago to take up a job in Nepal.

He, however, rejoined the company only on June 17 and had gone to Pinapaka village to supervise the construction work.

The two officials were earlier kidnapped by some unidentified men, while they were supervising construction work of the factory.

They opened fire in the air when some employees tried to foil the kidnap attempt and threatened them not to inform the police.

They later whisked away the two officials in the waiting Tata Sumo.

UNI CS KVV SI RAI1113