Kolkata, Oct 22 (IANS) A senior Maoist leader Thursday threatened to kill a police officer in West Bengal who was abducted by the leftwing ultras during an attack on Sankrail police station in West Midnapore district earlier this week.
“The Maoists won’t take the responsibility if anything happens to the abducted police officer Atindra Nath Dutta. Earlier, I had assured that we would take care of him (Dutta) and will release him if our demands are met.
“But now I can’t take the responsibility as the joint forces have opened fire at our men and have surrounded the entire area,” top Maoist leader Kishenji alias Koteswar Rao told a section of media here.
He said: “The joint forces must move back. If they don’t stop firing I won’t be able to keep my word which I’d given to the people of this country and to Dutta’s family members.
“The consequence would be disastrous if the joint forces do not stop its operation.”
According to police sources, a large contingent of joint forces opened fire at the Maoist rebels near Purnatani area this (Thursday) morning.
Ashok Dutta, father of the abducted cop, raised a question about the necessity of the joint operation in the Maoist areas at such a crucial time.
“I don’t know why the attack has been launched by the joint forces now. If anything happens to my son, it will have a very adverse impact on the entire state,” the father said.
The abducted son spoke to Bengali TV channel Star Ananda, late Wednesday night. “I am fine. I am completely fit also. They (Maoists) have not tortured me,” he said.