ASI hostage case: Orissa CM mum on Naxals’ demand to release cadres

Even four days after a police man was taken hostage by Maoists, Orissa government appears to be in no mood to release 68 `red rebels` as demanded by the ultras for the safe release of the official.

Bhubaneswar: Even four days after a police
man was taken hostage by Maoists, Orissa government appears to
be in no mood to release 68 `red rebels` as demanded by the
ultras for the safe release of the official.

"Police is on the job. They are working hard to trace the
missing ASI and combing operation is going on in Keonjhar
district," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters while
replying a question on the steps taken to trace Umesh Chandra
Marandi the abducted ASI.

The Chief Minister, however, did not react on the
Maoists` conditions for safe release of Marandi.

A senior home department official, however, said that
Marandi`s abduction had turned out to be a "major concern" for
the state administration.

The ASI, posted at Daitari police station in Keonjhar
district, was abducted by Maoists at gun point on the night of
July 7 after attacking the police station.

While Maoists have claimed to have abducted ASI, the
state government is yet to admit that Marandi is under
captivity of the rebels.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.