An assistant sub-inspector of the police, Umesh Marandi, who was abducted by armed Maoists from the Daitari police station in Keonjhar district 11 days ago, was released by the rebels on Saturday.
The Maoists informed the mediapersons in the afternoon that they had set Marandi free on forest road near Rebana-Palaspala in Keonjhar district.
Immediately after his release, Mr Marandi was brought to the Rebana police station by some local people and mediapersons. Though the police wanted to sent me to Keonjhar district headquarters hospital for health check-up, the ASI refused the proposal and said he wanted to see his family members fast.
Latest report said Marandi was on his way back to Daitari to meet his family members.
A Maoist leader, who identified himself as Sushil, said the ASI was released following requests from intellectuals, tribal communities and journalists.
“You people appealed for his release. To respect your sentiment, we are freeing him,” Sushil told local journalists in Keonjhar.
Initially, the Maoists had announced that they would release Mr Marandi only after the police releases the innocent tribals who had been arrested from Keonjhar, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts for having links with Maoist organisations.
The red rebels had kidnapped Marandi when they attacked the Daitari police station on the night of July 7.
Speaking to reporters at the Rebana police station, a relieved Marandi said he had not been tortured by the rebels during the 11 days in their captivity.
“They did not torture me. They served me good food and took care of my health,” the ASI, who is suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, informed.