Alleged mastermind of Bihar hostage crisis arrested

Alleged mastermind of Bihar Maoist hostage crisis, along with other senior naxal leader, was arrested today from the jungles of Jamui, during a combing operation.Two families, two tragedies | Full coverage

Alleged mastermind of Bihar Maoist hostage crisis, along with other senior naxal leader, was arrested today from the jungles of Jamui. The mastermind is identified as Pradeep Kumar and was arrested during a combing operation in the forest. However, there is no information yet on the abducted policeman.

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In a direct and chilling challenge to the Bihar and Central governments, Maoists dumped the bullet-riddled body of Bihar Military Police sub-inspector Lucas Tete on a roadside in Bihar’s Lakhisarai.

Tete’s body was found on Friday, almost a week after he was abducted by Maoists. A note found alongside his body threatened to kill the other three policemen in Maoist custody, including Abhay Yadav, who was thought to have been killed on Wednesday.

The Maoists are demanding the release of eight of their colleagues who are in jail.

Tete’s family, which till Friday was under the impression he was alive, went into shock. The misery continued for the other families, with no word of where the three other policemen were.

Tete’s body was found in a pool of blood on a road bordering the forests, about two kms from the location of Sunday’s encounter along with the note. The fate of the three other policemen stays unknown. Officials said there has been no communication from the Maoists about the hostages, even though their own deadline of 10 am on Friday expired.

The Maoists’ ‘spokesperson’ has been out of touch with the media as well.

(With HT Correspondent inputs)