Maoists hold two persons as hostage

One Kadraka Puala, a Naxal supporter of Elangawalsa village, was arrested yesterday in connection with a murder that took place in January, Abhaya Behera, Inspector In-Charge of Bandhagaon police station, said.

In protest against the arrest, some people from Puala's village surrounded the Bandhagaon police station but later dispersed when police pacified them.

However, late last night, the ultras kidnapped five villagers and later released three of them while still holding two others as hostage. Kadraka Lachana and Kadraka Mali were yet to be freed by the Naxals, police sources said.

Family members of the two abducted persons were yet to lodge any complaint before the police apparently fearing danger from Naxals, Behera said.