Maoist claim to have released police officer

Maoists claimed to have released a police official who was abducted by the ultras 10 days ago from a police station in Orissa's Keonjhar district.

Maoists on Saturday claimed to have released a police official who was abducted by the ultras 10 days ago from a police station in Orissa's Keonjhar district.

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Assistant sub-inspector of police Umesh Chandra Marandi, was released at Palaspala forest area in Keonjhar district this afternoon, a rebel leader told a section of Keonjhar-based reporters over phone.

Marandi was taken hostage by the Maoists during an attack on a police station at Daitari on the night of July 7.

"We learnt about Marandi's release from media. He was yet to arrive at Daitari," Keonjhar SP Asish Kumar Singh said.

A police team had been to the forest area to pick up Marandi, who is said to have been dropped there by Maoists, the SP said.

"We will be in a position to confirm Marandi's release after he arrives Daitari," Singh said.