Kolkata:
Twenty four hours after Naxals kidnapped a police officer in West Midnapore, the West Bengal government says it's ready for negotiations. "If the Maoists make a specific proposal, the state government is willing to talk to them," said state Chief Secretary AM Chakroborty.
Atindranath Dutta was taken hostage by a hundred armed Naxals who shot dead two other officers on duty at the Sankrail Police Station in West Midnapore. The Naxal attack was led by women. Dutta was blindfolded and forced onto a motorcycle, after which the Naxals rode away.
The government's offer to negotiate with Naxals comes after Dutta's family met West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. He reportedly promised Dutta's father that he would help to bring the police officer home. Dutta's two-year-old daughter, present at the meeting, was a poignant reminder of what's at stake.
On Tuesday, after Dutta was kidnapped, Naxal leader Kishanji told NDTV that Dutta will be treated like a Prisoner of War, and will not be harmed. Among the reported demands of the Naxals is the release of Chattradhar Mahato, who was arrested by the police last month. Mahato is one of the leaders of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities. He has been leading the rebellion in Lalgarh against the government. Naxals claim this movement supports the rights of tribals in the area.
Atindranath Dutta was taken hostage by a hundred armed Naxals who shot dead two other officers on duty at the Sankrail Police Station in West Midnapore. The Naxal attack was led by women. Dutta was blindfolded and forced onto a motorcycle, after which the Naxals rode away.
The government's offer to negotiate with Naxals comes after Dutta's family met West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. He reportedly promised Dutta's father that he would help to bring the police officer home. Dutta's two-year-old daughter, present at the meeting, was a poignant reminder of what's at stake.
On Tuesday, after Dutta was kidnapped, Naxal leader Kishanji told NDTV that Dutta will be treated like a Prisoner of War, and will not be harmed. Among the reported demands of the Naxals is the release of Chattradhar Mahato, who was arrested by the police last month. Mahato is one of the leaders of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities. He has been leading the rebellion in Lalgarh against the government. Naxals claim this movement supports the rights of tribals in the area.
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