Kolkata, Oct 22 (ANI): Maoists have agreed to release abducted West Bengal Police Officer Attendranth Dutta later this evening.

Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji announced this while speaking to a private news channel from an undisclosed location.

Rao also said the government has agreed to release a woman Maoist activist in exchange for Dutta, but added that a few formalities needed to be completed before the exchange takes place.

But the West Bengal Government did not confirm Rao’s claim.

Earlier, while speaking to another private news channel, Rao asked both the West Bengal and the Union Governments to halt police action or risk harm to kidnapped police officer Dutta.

Maoists have remained firm that they would not release Dutta until their arrested cadres are freed.

The Maoists abducted Dutta from a police station.

Rao had also said that if Dutta is killed they would not be responsible.

Rao had also said his group would produce Dutta soon and added that Dutta’s family is free to meet him anytime.

On Wednesday, the State Government had declared that they would get the kidnapped policemen released at any cost. (ANI)