Time running out for cops abducted by Naxals

Patna, September, 1 : Time is running out for four policemen who have been kidnapped by Naxals in Bihar's Lakhisarai district. The ultimatum by the Naxals to the state government to halt the combing operations in the district to trace the kidnapped policemen will expire at 4:00 PM on Wednesday.

The state government has launched a major combing, search and rescue operation in the area. Army helicopters are being used in the operation. The Naxals have threatened to execute all the four policemen if the state government does not stop search and combing operations against the rebels in Lakhisarai.

The policemen belonging to a Bihar Military Police battalion were abducted on Sunday during a fierce gunbattle with the Naxals. Their families have appealing for their release.

"Naxals have kidnapped my father. We want his release," said the daughter of an abducted policeman.

The family of one of the abducted policeman, Abhay Yadav, said that they feared that Naxals would harm him.

"No, I am not content with the advice of the government. I am scared about the fact that they won't leave his companions. They won't leave my husband. There is no ray of hope. They say that they won't free them. They will kill him. They (the policemen) have been given the time till 4'o clock,"

Police officials, however, say that all efforts were being made to trace the kidnapped officials.

"Four of our men have been kidnapped by the policemen. We have been trying to recover them. There has been no demand from the Naxalites," said Bihar DGP Neelmani.

The incident has angered the policemen and members of the police association protested outside the police line. They even manhandled Lakhisarai Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Singh alleging that he did not even go to the area where the gunbattle had taken place.

The abduction of four policemen and the death of seven others at the hands of the Naxals on Sunday has highlighted the vulnerability of the security forces in Bihar. Bihar is going to elect a new Assembly by the end of 2010 and the attack and kidnapping by the Naxals has added to the security challenge in the state.