IIT Madras alumnus, district Collector kidnapped

Malkangiri, Feb 17: Maoists have struck again and this time they have abducted a very bright, young and capable IAS officer in the naxal-infested Malkangiri district of Orissa.

According to reports, IIT-Madras alumnus R V Krishna, who works as the collector of Malkangiri, was on his way back after conducting a very successful public outreach program, when he was intercepted by the ultras and then kidnapped.

Two junior engineers were also abducted alongwith him, but one was latter freed with a letter of demands to secure the release of the Krishna and the other engineer.

As of now there has been no information regarding the whereabouts of the abducted duo. But security officials suspect they might have been put up somewhere in the dense forests of Andhra Pradesh-Orissa border.

Reports cite that all anti-naxal operations have been put on hold, and the Chief Minister of Orissa, Mr Naveen Pattnaik has pleaded with naxal leaders to release Krishna and the junior engineer immediately.

Krishna, a native of Chand Nagar, Hyderabad is a 2005-cadre IAS officer and was hailed for his efforts in tackling the 2008 Kandhamal riots. He was then a sub-collector in Kandhmal district.

He has a wife and a toddler son at his official residence while there are reports that his parents have moved in to be with them.

As to being an IAS officer, he was entitled to security, but according to reports, at the time of abduction he was riding his motorcycle with only junior engineers as pillion. Why was no security provided to Krishna, can only be answered when he is released or by the government of Orissa.

But for then, lets pray that the young man comes out all safe and sound.

OneIndia News