Maoists release abducted West Bengal cop

Kolkata, Oct 22 (ANI): The Maoists on Thursday released abducted West Bengal police officer Attendranth Dutta at Domohini forest.

The Maoists had abducted Dutta, when they had attacked Sankrail Police Station in West Bengal's West Midnapore district on October 20.

They had also targeted a bank next to the police station and left behind posters demanding release of their two leaders Kobad Ghandy and Chatrodhar Mahato, who were arrested by law enforcement authorities in New Delhi and West Bengal respectively earlier in September.

Earlier in the day, Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji announced that Dutt would be released as the West Bengal Government has agreed to release a woman Maoist activist in exchange for him. He said this while speaking to a private news channel from an undisclosed location.

However, the West Bengal Government did not confirm Rao's claim.

Rao had also asked the West Bengal and the Union Governments to halt police action or risk harm to kidnapped police officer Dutta.

Maoists had remained firm that they would not release Dutta until their arrested cadres were freed. (ANI)