In the first instance of an abducted police officer being executed by Maoists, Jharkhand Special Branch Inspector Francis Induwar was beheaded and his body thrown on a forest stretch of National Highway 33 near Raisa, 23 km from Ranchi, this morning. He was killed three days after the Maoists reportedly demanded the release of their arrested leaders, including Kobad Ghandy, in exchange for the officer.

In Delhi, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram called the act unacceptable. “The cold-blooded murder is simply not acceptable. I condemn it.” The Jharkhand DGP, he said, had informed him that no demand for a swap had been made. Chidambaram said the government was governed by rule of law and prisoners under custody of courts could not be swapped with those outside the law.

Induwar’s body and severed head were found this morning by a police team led by SP (Rural) Hemant Toppo. “It appears he was beheaded with a sharp-edged weapon,” Toppo told The Indian Express. Police found three hand-written posters stating that the Inspector had been killed by CPI (Maoist) cadres.

Induwar, an Adivasi Christian, was abducted from Hembrom Bazaar in Arki, 45 km from Raisa, by four armed Maoists on September 30 when he was out shopping.

On October 3, CPI(Maoist) South Chotanagpur Division spokesperson Samarji issued a press release claiming Induwar was safe in their custody. He said the officer would be freed if police released three Maoist leaders — Kobad Ghandy, Chhatradhar Mahato and Bhushan Yadav. While Ghandy was arrested in New Delhi, Mahato and Yadav were held in West Bengal.

... contd.