3 Pune youths abducted by naxals in Chhattisgarh rescued

Three Pune youths who were abducted by naxals during their cycle tour of naxal-affected areas in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha last month have been rescued. Two months ago Sukma administration had warned the youths that carrying out such a tour could be life threatening.

According to the Gadchiroli police, last month, three youths — Adarsh Patil, Vikas Walke and Srikrishna Shewale — originally from Karad in Satara had left from Pune on a cycle tour for "Bharat Jodo" campaign. The trio is students of an open university in Pune.

On December 23, after leaving Nagpur, they reached Hemalkasa in Bhamragadh Taluka. "After cycling from Mauja Bedre, Karkeli and Bairamgad they reached Bijapur in Chhattisgarh.

On December 29, they reached Baseguda in Chhattisgarh where they were kidnapped by the naxals," said an officer from Gadchiroli police.

As per the information, the trio was then taken to an unknown location where sustained enquiries were made by the naxals with them for two-three days.

"Later, we came to know about the kidnapping through our sources at Nagpur after which Bastar police initiated the operation. They were rescued from the clutches of naxals by the police safely and were brought to Central Reserve Police Force's camp at Chintalnar. Later, they were brought to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh via air," the officer said.

The police stated that two months ago, the trio had contacted Sukma administration in Chhattisgarh and had informed them about their tour. The Sukma administration had clearly informed them that carrying out such a tour is life threatening.