Naxalites release abducted police officer

Living up to his promise Kishenji, the naxalite leader released abducted police officer Atindranath Dutta today.

Earlier in the day, Kishenji had said that the officer would be released as the women who were arrested by security forces from Lalgarh had been granted bail.

He told PTI over phone, "Atindranath Dutta, who was taken as a Prisoner of War on Tuesday from Sankrail police station, will be released."

On a question if the government has accepted the demand of releasing the women, Kishenji said there were 15 women altogether whose bail applications were taken up by a court today. "They have got the bail. After they come back, we will release the officer-in-charge".

Asked if it was proposed by the government, the leader said from an undisclosed location, "I cannot say whether they were released following government's instruction, but coincidentally today was their date for appearance at the court and their bail application was granted."

The Maoist leader did not reveal if anybody from the government side came for negotiation. "Right now, I cannot disclose anything more," he said.

Assuring the family of Dutta, Kishenji had stated, "I assure that he will be released. The Maoists never kill 'Prisoners of War'.

WB govt competent to take decision: Chidambaram

The West Bengal government is competent to take a decision and act appropriately on securing the release of a police officer kidnapped by Maoists, Home Minister P Chidambaram said today and gave an assurance that the Centre would provide assistance if asked for. "What matters is the policy stance of the government on the issue. The policy stance must be made by the West Bengal government and it is competent to take a decision and act appropriately," Chidambaram told a press conference in Ranchi. "If they ask us for assistance we will provide it," he said. "We can never accept the theory of armed liberation struggle and guerrila war," he said.