Naxalites release Chhattisgarh constable after eight days of captivity

Naxalites have released a police constable whom they had abducted in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district last week, officials said on Saturday (October 7).

Shankar Kudiyam (28), belonging to ‘Bastar Fighters’, a newly-raised unit of the state police, had been missing for nearly a week. Naxalites claimed on Thursday that they had abducted him on September 29.

Kudiyam was released on late Friday evening in the presence of members of Sarva Adivasi Samaj, an umbrella body of tribal organisations, and his relatives.

Talking to a local journalist following his release, Kudiyam said he was kidnapped by Naxalites.

“After interrogating me, they decided to kill me. However, later they changed their mind after members of the tribal community and my panchayat urged them to forgive me. Even I apologised to them. They freed me after eight days,” he said.

Asked if he was tortured during the captivity, the constable denied and said the Naxals treated him “like their friend”.

A press note purportedly issued in the name of Anita Mandavi, secretary of Maad Divisional Committee of CPI (Maoist), on Thursday stated Kudiyam, a resident of Eramnar village, was abducted by them on September 29 and his interrogation was underway.

Police had the information about his abduction but they did not disclose it, which shows their intention, it claimed. Bijapur SP Anjneya Varshney said they learnt about Kudiyam’s abduction after Naxalites issued a statement.

On many occasions, the police have adopted a humanitarian approach in rescuing and saving the lives of Naxals who were injured in exchange of fire, the SP said. Sarva Adivasi Samaj had also appealed to Naxalites to release Kudiyam.

(With agency inputs)