Security forces in West Midnapore are avoiding large-scale combing operations which might jeopardise the life of the Sankrail police station in-charge, Atindranath Dutta, who was abducted by Maoists on Tuesday. Maoist leader Kishenji alias Koteshwar Rao has demanded the release of all female cadres arrested recently for the safe return of Dutta, whom he has called “prisoner of war”.

A special rescue team is ready in West Midnapore awaiting orders from Writers’ Buildings. It is believed that Dutta is being held somewhere close to the West Midnapore-Jharkhand border. Attempts are also being made to locate Kishenji tracking his cellphone. “We are doing everything to get the abducted officer back. The situation is delicate and our first priority is the life of the officer,” said Manoj Verma, Superintendent of Police, West Midnapore.

The state has given strict instructions to security forces not to engage Maoists in large-scale operations in the Jhargram-Lalgarh belt. DGP Bhupindar Singh said they had dreaded Maoists like Papan Mondal, Jagannath Mondal and Mala Kumari in their custody. “All these commanders were in the list of the police. They cannot be released.”

The police have around 20 female Maoists and supporters of Maoists in their custody, picked up in the last three-four months. “We have 59 persons, including 20 women, in our custody. In the group there are Maoists and persons who support them. There are four women Maoist commanders who are members of the action squad. All the women are in the age group of 30-40,” said Kuldeep Singh, IG, West.

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