Thaindian News

Patna, Sep 6 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday sought deployment of central paramilitary forces for the upcoming state assembly polls in view of an increased Maoist threat unfolded by the week-long hostage crisis.
“I demand and request the Election Commission to deploy central paramilitary forces at all polling booths in the state during the coming assembly elections in view of the hostage crisis that ended on Monday morning,” Nitish Kumar told reporters here after Maoists freed the three surviving policemen abducted over a week ago.

“It is necessary in view of the Maoist threat during the elections,” Nitish Kumar said.

He urged the poll panel to deploy helicopters for air surviellance as well during the polls.

The chief minister said there was no guarantee that such a hostage crisis would not occur again.

The three policemen - Abhay Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Ehsan Khan - were set free by the Maoists early Monday, eight days after they were abducted in Lakhisarai district. They were released in Lakho Chak area, said state police chief Neelmani.

The release comes days after the bullet-riddled body of Lucas Tete, the fourth abducted policemen, was found near a forest in Lakhisarai district.

The four policemen, including Tete, were abducted by Maoists after a six-hour gunfight in Lakhisarai district Aug 29. The gunbattle had left seven policemen dead and 10 injured.