Chhattisgarh: Maoists Free Jawan Kidnapped Last Week

Raipur: Maoists released a jawan of Bastar Fighters, the tribal counterinsurgency force of Chhattisgarh, after taking him captive for a week, police said on Saturday.

The jawan, Shankar Kudiyam, was released in Bhairamgarh in Bijapur district late on Friday evening, Bastar range inspector general of police Sunderraj P told this newspaper.

He was abducted by Maoists when he was visiting his village of Uspari under Bhairamgarh block on the intervening night of September 27-28, police suspected.

The incident came to light when he failed to report to duty on September 29.

A purported press note issued in the name of Anita Mandavi, secretary of Maad Divisional Committee of CPI (Maoist), on Thursday said that the jawan was kidnapped on September 29 and his interrogation was on.

The family members of the jawan had earlier appealed to the Maoists to release him.

Sources said that the cop was produced in the ‘Jan Adalat’ or kangaroo court of Maoists, held in a jungle in Bhairamgarh area to try him on Thursday.

He was reportedly sentenced to death by the kangaroo court.

However, his family members and some activists of Sarv Adivasi Samaj, a local tribal outfit, who were present on the occasion appealed to the Maoists to release him.

The Maoists released him when the jawan apologised to them, sources said.

The jawan told the local media after his release that he was treated well in the Maoist custody.

“He (the jawan) has been sent for medical examination. He appears to be in a trauma. Details about the incident could be known after he recovers from trauma”, the police officer said.