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Marthand Rao, a close relative of Union Minister of State for Home Ch Vidyasagar Rao was kidnapped by left-wing extremists (Naxalites) belonging to the Janashakti group in the early hours of Friday.
State police sources said that Marthand Rao, a cousin of Vidyasagar Rao's wife Vinoda Devi, was kidnapped from his native village Korem in Boinpally mandal in the extremist-affected Karimnagar district.
He had gone there, along with his family members, to celebrate the Dussehra festival.
Since Korem was not considered a Naxalite-affected village, the family had not taken any extra precaution.
At around 0100 hours (IST) in the early hours of Friday, a group of four armed Naxalites knocked on the door of Marthand Rao's ancestral house in the village.
They forced Marthand Rao to accompany them to the forest saying that the dalam (armed squad) commander would like to speak to him.
Marthand Rao is a prosperous contractor and police suspect that he could have been kidnapped for ransom.
Vidyasagar Rao himself was scheduled to visit the village on Friday morning to participate in the celebrations.
After learning of the kidnapping, the minister cancelled his trip.
Vidyasagar Rao hails from the same district and figures in the hit list of the outlawed People's War Group of Naxalites.
He is said to be monitoring the situation.
Unofficial reports indicated that the kidnappers had sought a huge sum as ransom. The family members are said to be negotiating with the Naxalites and have requested the police to keep away and not to do anything to jeopardize Marthand Rao's life.
Their apprehension stems from the fact that in a similar incident three years ago, the Janashakti group killed the hostage after coming to know that the family members had approached the police.
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