Bihar CM appeals to Maoists to give up violence

PATNA - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday expressed relief over the release of the three abducted cops, and urged the Maoists to abjure violence and come forward for talks.

“We are relieved at the release of three police officials. The Maoists must leave the path of violence and come forward for talks. Taking hostages is not the right way. I appeal to them to join the mainstream,” said Kumar.

“We were firm for unconditional talks. We regret that the Maoists have rejected our offer for talks. We regret the death of Lucas Tete. The released cops are being taken to their families,” he added, while expressing grief over the death of Tete.

Kumar further said this incident has shown the unity of the people of Bihar.

“Public pressure helped to end the crisis. The pressure built up by both the public and the police worked. We feel that our appeal after an all-party meet helped. We did everything possible to release the abducted cops,” said Kumar.

Further taking a dig at the Centre, Kumar said the onus of security is not just on the state government.

“Nobody can guarantee that such an incident will not be repeated. There must be high security at the polling stations during the Bihar polls. Both Central Forces and Bihar police personnel must be deployed during the polls,” said Kumar.

Bihar Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to the media on the occasion, saying they were covering the entire event, but in the meanwhile urging for the release of the abducted cops.

Earlier today, the Maoists 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, were freed by the Maoists on the border of Kajra-Chanan forests, about 165 kilometers from Patna.

“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 militants in the forests,” Director General of Police Neelmani told media. “The condition of the three policemen is fine,” he added.

The four policemen were taken hostage on August 29 during an encounter with the Naxals in Lakhisarai.

The Naxals killed one of the policemen, Hawaldar Lukas Tete, after the first deadline ended and his body was found in on Friday morning in the jungles of Lakhisarai district.

In a note that they left on his body, the Naxals threatened to do away with the three remaining hostages if eight of their comrades are not released from jail.

The encounter began on Sunday evening when over 150 armed Maoists attacked search teams of the Bihar police combing the area following intelligence reports of the presence of the Maoists in the forest area. (ANI)