Abducted policemen will be released soon, claims wife of hostage

Patna, Ranchi, Sep 5 (ANI): After a meeting with a self-proclaimed Maoist, Rajni Yadav, wife of Abhay Kumar Yadav, one of the abducted policemen, claimed on Sunday that the hostages would be released soon.

She said that a person, who was a self-proclaimed Maoist, came to her house in Bihar's Khagaria town, and said he would release her husband.

"A person came and said, 'I am your brother, I have released your husband and now you can tie rakhi (a thread symbolising brother-sister relationship) on my wrist.' Hearing this, I was very happy. My husband, who is in Maoists' custody, will be released. After believing his word, I was thrilled," said Rajni.

Rajni, however, added that she has not received any confirmation of her husband's release.

"I have not received any confirmation on telephone. I don't know where is Abhay babu, in what condition he is in and when is he coming," she said.

The reports have though come as a ray of hope for families of three of the security personnel who were still in Maoist custody.

"We have not received the confirmation yet. We will be able to talk only after we have the confirmation. Everyone is praying for their safe return," said Vikas, brother of Rupesh Kumar, who was abducted by the Maoists.

Relatives and neighbours started pouring in constable Ehtesham Khan's residence, another security official abducted by the Maoists, in Ranchi following the reports.

"We heard reports that he has been freed. When he comes home, I will meet him, see his face, it will be a bigger celebration than Eid," said Moinuddin Khan, father of Ehtesham Khan.

Four policemen - Rupesh Kumar, Abhay Kumar Yadav, Lucas Tete and Ehtesham Khan - were abducted by extremists in Lakhisarai district of the state, last week after an encounter. The Maoists demanded the release of eight of their cadres in exchange for the security officials.

After Tete was killed on September 3, the government launched a massive combing operation in the dense forests of the district to trace and free the abducted security personnel. By Ajay Kumar/ Girijha Shankar Ojha (ANI)