Dutta Hopes Govt Will Secure Release of Two Other Abducted Cops
Police officer Atindranath Dutta, released recently by Maoists following three days’ captivity, hopes that the West Bengal government would take steps to trace two police personnel held hostage by rebels on July 30, who are still missing.
“I hope the government will take earnest steps to secure release of two other policemen,” Dutta said following his release.
He arrived at his residence here at 2:30 am in the metropolis after his release last night by Maoist leader Kishenji in Lalgarh area in West Mindapore district.
It may be mentioned that sub-inspector Kanchan Garai and constable Sabir Ali, both them posted at the Dharampur police outpost in West Midnapore district, were kidnapped by Maoists when they had gone to buy spare parts for the generators supplying power to police camps.
In response to a query if he talked to Kishenji about the release of Garai and Ali, Dutta said that he had not. He said that he had gathered from talks with Maoists that they wanted the government to take up welfare measures for the rural poor who were “deprived and exploited”.
While responding to another query on whether the government should open dialogue with Maoists, Dutta said, “Everything is possible through dialogue. My personal view is that the government should hold talks, but what the government does is upto it.”
Dutta said that Kishenji had explained to him about his outfit’s view on the “deprivation and exploitation of tribals”.
Dutta also said that he was happy with the role played by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in his release and said the state administration had taken steps after giving much thought.
“My family and I are grateful to them.” The Maoists had given him food and had not ill-treated him, he said.
On whether he would continue to serve in the police force, he said he had not thought about it yet. “It is not that I am quitting the police right now. There are some allied jobs in the police. Whether I remain in the mainstream police or take up an allied job I will decide after discussing with my family,” he said.
