AP engineer’s kidnap drama ends on happy note

• Abductors are not Bodo militants
• Inter failed students planned kidnap
• Nagamalleswara Rao sustains minor injuries in police action

Ongole: The kidnap drama in Assam of engineer Dandamuri Nagamalleswara Rao (48), belonging to Prakasam district, ended on a happy note on Monday, with his family members here getting information of his release.

Rao’s relative Brahmayya told The Hans India that the engineer had spoken over the phone with his children and relatives. He said Rao, who sustained minor injuries in the police action prior to his release, was undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Four Intermediate failed students, who formed themselves into a gang after acquiring weapons, were said to have conducted a recce a week before in the surrounding areas of Rao’s work spot before barging into the office on June 17 evening. They threatened others present in the office before forcibly taking away the engineer. Since then the four youths have been demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. Police had initially suspected the involvement of the Bodo militants in the abduction.

Based on the phone calls received from the kidnappers, police could conclude on Sunday that they were not Bodos. Police had taken the parents of one of the four youths into custody and began negotiations with them on Monday morning.

Police are learnt to have informed the kidnappers that they were coming with the ransom money, reached their hide-out and managed to free Rao, after apprehending the youth.

Rao’s family members learnt about his kidnap on Saturday evening after his colleagues telephoned. Since then they have been worried about his safety. Following his release, they thanked the Assam police and Andhra Pradesh Government.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had intervened and directed the district police to take steps to ensure his safety.