Nitish Kumar should not give in to the threats of Maoist Ultras, says Abdullah

JAMMU - A day after the bullet-riddled body of one of the four abducted Bihar policeman was found, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Senior National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah today advised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to not to give in to the threats of Maoists and adopt a tough posture.

Speaking after a stone laying foundation function of a cricket stadium here, Farooq said: “I will always say never give in to threats of those people. We made a mistake. First mistake we made when five of them (militants) were released at the time of VP Singh’s Government. Second mistake was done was when we gave in and those people were released in Kandhar. I hope Nitish would not be in such a state.”

“Nitish and his State should appear tough, because if he once gives in, they will continue to dictate terms forever. Fight them and fight them hard or you will appear as a soft State,” said Farooq Abdullah.

While commenting on the Chinese presence in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Union Minister said “As far as Farooq Abdullah is concerned, I am not concerned at all. India is not weak. India is quite strong enough to face any challenge from anywhere, but let us not get worried about Chinese presence in POK.”

Meanwhile, the Bihar Police on Saturday morning arrested two senior Naxal leaders during a combing operation near the jungles of Lakhisarai.

Police claimed one of the arrested was the mastermind behind the abduction of four Bihar policemen, one of whom was killed on Thursday.

The alleged mastermind has been identified as Pintu, a senior Naxal leader and the other leader has been identified as Bahadur Yadav.

Police claimed both of them confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of four Bihar Police officials.

The duo was arrested from Gurmaha forest in Barhat police station area of Jamui district during the search operations.

Pintu is reported be a Maoist area commander of Luxmipur-Simultala area. They have been produced in a Banka court.

In another development, Maoists today said that the three other hostages with them were safe and called for talks as “time was running out” .

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is monitoring the combing operation, has called an all-party meeting here today to discuss the situation arising out of the crisis. By Tahir Nadeem Khan (ANI)