Maoists Demand Release of 15 Arrested Villagers to Set Free Abducted BDO

For release of an abducted Block Develoment Officer (BDO), Maoists in Jharkhand have laid down their demands, said media reports.

Prasant Layak, the BDO, was kidnapped on Saturday from Dalbhumgarh village in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum District.

Rebels have threatened to kill Layak in the event their demands are not met within seven days, said reports.

To set Layak free, they are insisting on the release of 15 villagers arrested in the East Singhbhum District on the charges of supporting the Maoists.

Besides, rebels demanded immediate bail of two surrendered Maoist cadres, reports said.

In the meantime, talking to reporters, state home secretary JB Tubid said that a manhunt had been launched to trace Layak, said reports .

“We are trying our best. Whenever we will get some information, we will inform you,” he was quoted as saying.

Reports said that Layak’s colleagues also appealed to the Maoists for the safe return of the officer.

“All the officers of the region are united and using all sources, both formal and informal, for the safe return of the kidnapped officer,” Sitaram Bari, President, Jharkhand Civil Services Union, was quoted as saying.

BDO Prasant Leyak was kidnapped as soon as he completed a Grama Sabha in Delbhumgarh on Saturday, as hundreds of people simply became witness to the act.

According to eyewitnesses, Maoists came in seven bikes and abducted Leyak at gunpoint.

This is the second incident in the last five months in Jharkhand.

(Based on media reports)