RAIPUR: Maoists on Wednesday released a picture of Co-BRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, as proof that they have him, but his colleagues and police pointed out that the picture looks ‘old’ and Manhas doesn’t seem injured.
The photo, sent by Maoists to a local reporters in Bijapur, shows Manhas sitting in a makeshift shelter. On Tuesday, CPI(Maoists) spokesman Vikalp had released a press statement, claiming Manhas, a native of Jammu, was “captured” during the April 3 encounter.
Bastar Range IG P Sundarraj said police were verifying the authenticity of the Maoists’ statement. “ The best possible efforts are being made to secure his safe return,” he said.
Missing CoBRA commando s picture surfaces amid efforts for his safe release from Naxals india.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from india.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Maoists show CRPF jawan s photo to claim custody
Updated Apr 8, 2021, 10:36 am IST
A senior police officer posted in Bastar told this newspaper the police was verifying the authenticity of the photograph
Sister of CRPF Commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas reacts during a protest, demanding his release from the captivity of Naxals, in Jammu on April 7, 2021. (PTI)
Raipur: The Maoists on Wednesday released a picture to establish that the jawan missing in the April 3 Naxalite ambush on the security forces in Terram area on the Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh’s south Bastar region has been held hostage by them.
This development comes hours after the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) issued a press release confirming that the missing CoBRA commando, Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, was in their custody as a “prisoner” and that he was safe.
Chhattisgarh Naxal Attack: Govt Yet to Find Mediator to Ensure Captured Jawan s Release thewire.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thewire.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
RAIPUR: Missing CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas’s fate is still uncertain even as Bastar activists spoke up for his release on Tuesday and Maoists, who claim to have him in captivity, asked that mediators be named for negotiations.
CPI(Maoist) Dandakaranya special zonal committee spokesman Vikalp issued a statement on Tuesday to say that Manhas was “captured” during the April 3 encounter in Tekulguda and that he would “remain safe in their custody as a prisoner”.
“The government must first announce names of mediators. Then, we will hand him over to police,” the release said. The rebels admitted that five of its cadres, including a woman, were killed in the gunfight. The commando’s wife, Meenu, has appealed to PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah to bring him home, just as they brought Wing Commander Abhinandan back from Pakistani captivity.