Maoists Release Three Abducted Policemen in Bihar

Maoists today released the three abducted Bihar policemen in Lakhisarai district, bringing an end to the nine-day-old hostage crisis. The three policemen ---- Abhay Prasad Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Ehshan Khan, who were taken hostage on August 29, were freed by the ultras this morning on the border of Kajra-Chanan forests and hills, about 165 kms from the state capital.

Bihar C.M Nitish Kumar with Injured Soldire

The Maoists had earlier killed one of the captive policemen, Lucas Tete. His body was found on Friday.

"All the three kidnapped policemen have been released by the Maoists from the Kajra-Chanan forest in Lakhisarai district after the police sealed the escape routes of the ultras in the forests and hills," Director General of Police Neelmani told PTI. Sub-Inspector of Police and Station House Officer of Manikpur police station Yadav, SI Sinha and BMP Havildar Khan were with the Superintendent of Police (Lakhisarai), Ranjit Kumar Mishra, he said. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had offered talks with the ultras on the hostage crisis and even expressed the state government''s readiness to provide them safe passage for talks, heaved a sigh of relief after Neelmani informed him about the development.

Seven Maoists, including a self-styled area commander and mastermind of the Lakhisarai incident Pintu Das, have been arrested in the last few days during the intense search operations that were launched by the security forces in the hills and forests of Munger, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Banka and Kaimur districts.