Five Chhattisgarh cops abducted, searches launched
By IANSTuesday, January 25, 2011
RAIPUR - Maoists stopped a bus in Chhattisgarh’s restive Bastar region Tuesday and abducted six passengers, including five policemen, on the eve of the Republic Day. Police have launched combing operations in the thickly forested area to rescue the six.
The passengers were abducted from an interior pocket in Narayanpur district, about 350 km south from capital Raipur.
“The Maoists stopped a bus and identified five jawans of the Chhattisgarh Armed Forces (CAF) (the state armed police) and took them away,” Inspector General of Police (Bastar) T.J. Longkumer told reporters.
A civilian was also abducted along with the troopers either on suspicion of being a policeman or for interfering in the abduction, he added.
The abducted jawans were unarmed and also not in police uniform as they were returning from leave to district headquarters Narayanpur town.
“We have searched several jungle areas in Narayanpur and its neighbouring Kanker district in a bid to trace out the abducted cops and civilian. The search operation has been halted for the night and will resume with full intensity early Wednesday,” said Longkumer.
