Will release 3 cops by 8 pm today: Maoists

Asserting that since the government had been ruthless towards them,they would only trust the policemen’s families to hand over the abducted cops and then would discuss how to go about the government’s offer of talks,he added.

Bihar ADGP P K Thakur,however,said they had not received any intimation about the latest move of the Maoists and got to know about it only through the media.

Earlier in the day,Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offered talks with the Maoists and assured them of not taking any legal action against their representative coming forward for the dialogue with the government.

“We want face-to-face talks,not through telephone as we want to be sure of the identity of the person on the other hand. As their telephone information (on SI Abhay Prasad Yadav) was misleading,we want one-on-one conversation,” Kumar said after an all-party meeting,attended by the RJD,BJP,Congress and LJP besides JD(U). RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan had sent their representatives to the meeting.

While not setting any pre-conditions for talks,the CM said Maoists should set free three policemen — SI Abhay Prasad Yadav and Rupesh Kumar Sinha,and BMP-10 Havildar Ehsan Khan.

The government,however,did not issue any orders for stopping the combing operations in Lakhisarai jungles. The operations were joined by eight additional CRPF companies and an Indian Air Force helicopter.

In the morning,Avinash had told the media that three cops were safe. He apologised for misleading the police on the reported killing of SI Abhay Yadav and said it was part of their strategy to put pressure on the state government. “We are meeting tonight to decide the fate of the three cops,and we want a safe passage for talks,” he added.

The Naxal spokesperson reiterated his demand for talks with the state government and said all “attempts and huge expenses over forces” would not lead to the arrest of any Naxals as they worked under pseudonyms and easily mingled with their supporters.

However,Bihar DGP Neelmani told The Sunday Express: “The operation is on. We have arrested one Pintooda,area commander of Laxmipur,Simultala and Jamui from Gurmaha jungles. Pintooda has confessed his involvement in Lakhisarai incident.” The police also detained seven suspected ultras.

The DGP said massive combing operations had been on in Bhimbandh areas around possible Naxal hideouts. An Air Force helicopter provided air cover to COBRA battalion of the CRPF. There was,however,no clue of any of three abducted cops.

However,sources close to Avinash told The Sunday Express that the Maoists would be unwilling to go for direct talks and would prefer mediation instead. It is learnt that Avinash is not the real name. Anyone occupying the chair is called Avinash. ADGP PK Thakur said: “We are not sure of the veracity of this name. How can one take his words then?”

Meanwhile,families of the three policemen continue to mount pressure on the government. Havildar Ehsan Khan’s family has come to Patna. His brother Shafiq Khan said: “I want my brother back. It is the government’s job to ensure that they get my brother released.”