Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has denied having any knowledge of the Maoists reportedly promising the release of three policemen they abducted last week.
"We don't have any information about the release of policemen," said Kumar after local TV channels reported that a Maoist leader had promised family members of kidnapped sub-inspector Abhay Prasad Yadav that he would be returned shortly, leading to rumours that they have been released.
The Maoist leader, who turned up at Yadav's home here identified himself as 'Kishanji' and assured the family that Yadav would be released shortly, according to footage beamed by a local TV channel.
"Naxalites do have mothers and sisters and we don't want your family to grieve anymore," the man, wearing a saffron turban, said while accepting a 'rakhi' from the sub-inspector's wife, Rajni.
"We have decided to free him after being influenced by your emotional outburst...," he said before leaving.
Inspector General of Police (Operations) K S Dwivedi said, "We too have seen the footage, but we don't know the identity of the person as yet."
Besides Yadav, the Maoists had kidnapped another sub-inspector Rupesh Kumar, assistant sub-inspector Lokus Tete and Bihar Military Police havildar Ehtesham Khan during an encounter in Lakhisarai district last Sunday.
They later killed Tete and left his body on the road.
Nitish Kumar had on Saturday appealed to the Maoists to free the three remaining hostages and offered safe passage to the Maoists to hold talks.
(With inputs from PTI)
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