Maoists-set deadline for release of cops to expire

Munger, Bihar, Sept 1 : The fate of four policemen abducted by Maoists from Lakhisarai district of Bihar hangs in balance as a deadline set by the kidnappers expires later on Wednesday.

The Maoists on Tuesday had asked the government to release eight jailed rebels in exchange of safe release of the abducted policemen.

Avinash, a spokesman of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), setting the deadline for the deal at 4 pm on Wednesday, had said the policemen would be killed if the rebel leaders were not released.

?”We have asked the government to release our colleagues who include Jaipaswan, Vijay Chourasia, Prem Bhuiyan, Pramod Barnwal by 4 pm (Wednesday),? Avinash had told media.

The militant leader also demanded the stop of combing operations in search of the abducted policemen, though the state government continued a massive search and rescue operation.

Helicopters are also being used in the operation.

The Maoists had taken the hostages after killing seven other policemen in a 14 hours gun battle in Lakhisarai on Sunday.