Patna:
Naxals have reportedly killed sub-inspector Abhay Yadav, one of the four policemen, who were taken hostage during an encounter in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on Sunday.The deadline for the other three abducted cops has been extended till 10 am on Friday.
Following the killing of Abhay Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Yadav has said that he is ready to talk to the Naxals. (
Read: Security strengthened around Nitish Kumar's residence)
"We need to think with seriousness on this issue. I don't know what mistakes the cops had made. By taking people hostage, I don't know what example the Naxals are trying to set," said Nitish.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also said that they fully support the Bihar government in the decisions they will take.
The Naxals had threatened to kill the cops if their demands were not met. They want their jailed colleagues to be released and security forces withdrawn from Naxal areas in exchange for the policemen's freedom.
The four policemen - Mohammad Ehsaan, Rupesh Kumar Sinha, Abhay Prasad Yadav, Lokus Tete - were taken hostage on Sunday, during an encounter in the forests of Lakhisarai. Seven other policemen were killed during the encounter and 11 others were injured.
The deadline set by the Maoists for releasing four abducted cops in exchange for their jailed comrades had ended at 10 am today.
The Naxals had said they will not extend the deadline any further and their central committee will now decide the next step. However, earlier this morning, they claimed that the four policemen were safe.
This morning's deadline was set after the 4 pm deadline on Wednesday went by without the Bihar government accepting their demands.