Maoists release abducted teacher in West Bengal

Midnapore (West Bengal), Mar 9 (ANI): School teacher and CPI (M) leader Ranjit Duley, who was kidnapped by the Maoists at gunpoint from a school in Bankura district on March 4, was released unharmed in West Midnapore district.

Duley was released at a remote place between Goaltore and Pingboni at around 1:15 am to a select team of electronic media, which took him to Lalgarh police station.

The Maoists had initially demanded the release of six cadres arrested for the killing of Sarenga police station in-charge Rabi Lochan Mitra on February 25.

The joint forces, after receiving a tip-off that the teacher had been taken to Bhalukbasa jungle in West Midnapore district, had cordoned off the area and traded fire with the Maoists, killing a cadre on Sunday.

Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh had said there was no question of releasing the Maoists.

On Friday evening, the armed Maoists barged into Shibram Satpathy School in Sarulia village of the District and went around searching for Duley.

Duley came out and confronted them.

The Maoists pointed their guns at Duley and asked him to come along.

The incident occurred just days after Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao's right hand man Telugu Deepak was arrested by the West Bengal Police. (ANI)