Chhattisgarh government says abducted cops to be released

The Chhattisgarh govt said it was confident of safe release of four policemen, abducted by Maoists in Bijapur district, by Tuesday night following “positive” talks with ultras.

Seven policemen were abducted by Maoists on September 19 in Bijapur. The bodies of three were discovered a day later with Maoist literature.

“Till now the outcome of the talks have been positive. It can be said that Maoists will release the policemen unharmed by tonight [Tuesday night],” principal secretary (home), NK Aswal, said.

A joint team from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was holding talks with Maoists to get the four policemen — assistant sub-inspector Sukhruram Bhagat, constables Narendra Bhosale, Subhash Patre and B Toppo — released, state officials said. Some members in the team are those who have earlier spoken to the outlaws, they said.

Aswal said an appeal to free the four cops unharmed, has had a effect on the outlaws.