Ranchi (Jharkhand): There are reports that Maoists have struck a deal with the Jharkhand Government for the safe release of abducted Dalbhumgarh Block Development Officer (BDO) Prashant
Kumar Layek. Sources said the state government is looking at swap deal for BDO
Layek's release. "Jharkhand Government may release two jailed Maoists in exchange
for the abducted BDO," claimed sources. The Maoists have promised to kill BDO
Layek if their demands are not met, said sources. The fate of Layek hangs in balance
as the deadline set by the Maoists for the unconditional release of 15 villagers,
who were arrested in the East Singhbhum District on the charges of supporting
the rebels ends today. Spokesman of the Maoists' Bengal-Orissa-Jharkhand Regional
Border Committee Rakesh ji has said that they would not guarantee the safety of
the abducted BDO if their demands were not met within 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Armed
Maoists abducted BDO Layek in broad daylight on Saturday as he completed a Grama
Sabha in Dalbhumgarh district. According to eyewitnesses, Maoists came in around
seven bikes and abducted Layek at gunpoint. Jharkhand Police suspects that Maoists
might have taken Layek inside the forest along the West Bengal border. The Maoists
are demanding the immediate bail of two surrendered Maoist cadres. This is the
second incident in last five months in Jharkhand. In September 2009, the Maoists
had kidnapped and beheaded Special Branch Officer, Francis Induwar in Ranchi district.
