He is innocent, abducted official’s family tells Maoists

PATNA - The wife and son of an abducted Bihar government official Tuesday asked Maoist guerrillas to release him from capitivity as he was innocent and pro-poor.

Manoj Kumar Singh, the block development officer of Tariyani in Sheohar district, about 250 km from here, was abducted from Tariyani Chhapra village Sunday. He had gone to the village to enquire about voters’ identity cards for the upcoming assembly elections.

His wife Lata Singh and son Abhimanyu Singh issued an appeal to the guerrillas after police failed to trace him.

“We request Maoists to release him. He is innocent and pro-poor,” Lata told IANS Tuesday.

“My father has nothing to do with any campaign against Maoists. He is not associated with any anti-Maoist operation. I request Maoists to release him,” Abhimanyu added.

Abhimanyu has also asked for the help of President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manomohan Singh and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“My mother, brother and sister are frightened. They are worried about the safety of my father,” he said.

Bihar police chief Neelmani said efforts were on to rescue him. “We are working on a strategy to rescue the abducted official soon,” he said.

“Search operations are being carried out in the area,” another police official added.

Some reports from Muzaffarpur district said the officer was released by Maoists Monday night. The reports were later found to be untrue.