Naxals release 8 abducted villagers in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: Eight people, who were allegedly abducted by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district a few days back, were released unharmed and they have safely returned to their village, police said on Wednesday.

Before releasing them, the rebels warned the villagers not to support police or development works in the area, the police said. These people reached their village Kunded under Jagargunda police station limits on Tuesday night and all of them are safe, Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told.

Maoists had forcefully taken seven people on July 18 and another local resident on July 17 along with them towards Puvarti village, the native place of dreaded Maoist commander Hidma, and allegedly kept them in captivity, he said. When they did not return home, a group of villagers from the area went into the forest in search of them and to facilitate their release.

After being alerted, the police swung into action and launched a search for these people, the IPS officer said.

Meanwhile, local representatives of tribal communities were also contacted and they issued an appeal in the media, asking the ultras to release the abducted villagers, Sundarraj said.