West Bengal:
West Bengal Congress Secretary Swapan Dubey on Wednesday offered himself to the Maoists as a barter for the police officer in their custody.
"The kidnapping has lowered the confidence of police officers. People of the state will therefore also suffer due to this. As a member of the ruling party (at the Centre), I appeal the Maoists to kidnap me and release Atindranath Dutta," said Dubey in a letter written to the State Government.
Appealing to Maoist leader Kishanji to stop bloodshed immediately, he said attacking policemen cannot serve anyone's purpose.
"If the Maoists attack me, it will be more beneficial for them as I am a member of the ruling party at the Centre," said Dubey.
He also appealed to the state government, district magistrate and police officers to communicate his message to the Maoists and make it a part of the negotiation plan.
"Whenever they call me, I am ready to appear before them alone and if they want to kill me I am ready for that also. But the life of police officers need to be spared," added the Congress leader.