Nitish Kumar holds high-level meeting on Maoist issue

PATNA - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Thursday held a high-level meeting with top officials at his official residence after reports that Maoists had killed one of four abducted policemen. The Bihar police chief has said there is no truth in the Maoist claim of having killed a policeman.

Meeting top officials at his 1, Anne Marg, official residence, Nitish Kumar instructed police officials to review their strategy for release of the abducted policemen.

After the meeting was over, Bihar police chief Neelmani told newspersons that there was no truth in the reports that an abducted policeman was killed. He said that police were trying hard to rescue the abducted policemen.

Earlier, speaking at a function, the chief minister said his government is ready for talks with the Leftwing rebels.

“We have been ready for talks,” Nitish Kumar said.

Police said that security of the chief minister’s official residence was tightened Thursday evening. “All routes leading to his residence have been sealed,” police said.

Earlier, Avinash, a self-proclaimed Maoist spokesman, said that Maoists want to talk with the chief minister. “We are keen to talk with the chief minister on the issue,” he said.

Nitish Kumar also said the eight Maoists lodged in different jails in Bihar, whose release is being demanded by the Maoists, are being taken care of well, and he expected the rebels to mete the same treatment to the abducted policemen.

“We respect the human rights of any person arrested, because this is a democracy. We look after their health, and the Leftwing rebels are part of our society. We also expect the same treatment of our people (policemen) by the Maoists,” he said.

“There should have been talks across the table… I appeal to everyone to come forward. To make one a prisoner and then haggle, is not good. After all, the policemen were doing their duty.”

Maoists Thursday killed Abhay Kumar Yadav, one of the four Bihar policemen they abducted four days ago, following a decision by a ‘jan adalat’ or kangaroo court.

The Leftwing rebels killed Yadav six hours after their second deadline - at 10 a.m. -expired.

After killing Yadav, a sub-inspector, the Maoists said the fate of the remaining three policemen would be decided by 10 a.m. Friday if the state government failed to initiate a dialogue or negotiate with them.