Maoists set new deadline for release of Chhattisgarh cops

Raipur : The fate of four abducted Chhattisgarh cops remains unknown even as the Maoists, who are holding the policemen captive, extended the deadline for securing their safe release by 24 hours on Tuesday night.

The Maoists had set a 48-hour deadline for the government to accept their demands in exchange of the release of the cops.

As negotiations were on with the extremists, the deadline was extended by 24 hours, which expires Wednesday night.

Reports, quoting government sources, said ?positive? talks were on with the Maoists and the four policemen are likely to be released soon.

The cops were abducted, along with three more policemen, from Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, on September 19.

The bodies of three cops were recovered later, while the Maoists placed certain demands against the safe release of the policemen in captivity.

The state government sources claimed that talks were on with the abductors through media and social activists, and going by the indications received from the Maoists, they are likely to release the cops unharmed.

The abducted cops are Assistant Sub-Inspector Sukhruram Bhagat, constables Narendra Bhosale, Subhash Patre and B Toppo ? state officials said.

The Maoists? demands includes halt of security forces? operation against the Maoists, release of villagers arrested for unlawful activities and judicial probe into alleged fake encounters.