Maoists release nine hostages, demand to end 'Operation Green Hunt'

Maoists released nine hostages unharmed in Latehar district of Jharkhand on Saturday. These people were abducted from Menaka police station area in the morning and they were released by evening. The released people were told to put the Maoists' demand before authorities. The Maoists have demanded calling off Operation Green Hunt launched by the security forces against them and a probe into the various irregularities rampant in government welfare schemes including the flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).