Maoists kidnapping officials a minor issue: Soren

Ranchi, Feb 17: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren finds abduction of Government officials by Maoists a minor issue.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Feb 16, Soren said, "It's a minor incident that takes place in the state."

Soren was responding to a question when asked to comment on the kidnapping of Block Development Officer (BDO) Prashant Kumar Layek by Naxals.

The Chief Minister's statement came even as Layek's wife threatened to immolate herself if any harm came to her husband.

"I request them not to harm my husband as he is innocent," Layek's wife Julie Bharati said.

Layak was abducted by the Maoists from Dalbhumgarh in East Singhbhum district on Saturday, Feb 13.

The Maoists demanded release of seven rebels in jails and payment to villagers who worked under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme.

They also threatened to kill him if their demands were not met within a week.

OneIndia News