Maoists set 48-hour deadline for four abducted policemen

Chattisgarh government has sped up the efforts to ensure safe release of four policemen in Maoists' captivity after the extremists set a deadline of 48 hours for the state government to comply with their demands.

The state government has become active in its approach to ensure safe release of four policemen abducted by Naxals in Bijapur district eight days ago, Chattisgarh home minister Nanki Ram Kanwar said today.

"The Naxals have demanded halting state government's operation green hunt against them, releasing imprisoned Naxals, curtailing police atrocities and initiating peace talks in exchange of abducted policemen," he said.

Kanwar said he has directed the senior police officers to verify the validity of letter of demands received from Maoists since it reached government through local media.

"They have set a deadline of 48 hours for the state government to comply with their demands," the minister said.

"The deadline given is not sufficient, as the decision of calling back paramilitary forces from Naxals infested areas and releasing of Naxals from jails cannot be taken in hurry," Kanwar said, adding the government was thinking over the demands.

He said the state government never blocked the way of negotiations with Maoists but talks can never be held until they stop violence.

Seven policemen, including an assistant sub-nspector, a SPO and three constables were abducted by Naxals on September 19 from Bhopalpatnam near Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border. The bodies of three of them were discovered two days later with Maoist literature.

According to police one woman relative of SPO is also in Naxal's captivity.