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- Published: April 7, 2021 15:27
New Delhi: Naxal Maoist today released a picture of Captured CRPF Cobra Commando Rakeshwar Singh Minhas to one local journalist.
Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, was part of the party that was attacked by naxals in Chhattisgarh.
According to reports, the Maoists claim to have taken Rakeshwar as hostage and has demanded an interlocutor for his release.
Family of CRPF jawan has however requested the government to take action & ensure his release.
Meanwhile, locals have blocked Jammu-Akhnoor highway demanding the release of CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas who has been held captive by naxals.
CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas’ family members have also joined the protest.
Jammu & Kashmir: Family of CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who was part of the party that was attacked by naxals in Chhattisgarh & has been held captive by naxals, requests the government to take action & ensure his release. pic.twitter.com/9rcBzNKIvi
— ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2021
Commenting on the incident, his wife said, “If a jawan reports to his duty a day after his leave ends then action is taken against him. Now that a jawan is missing since April 3 no action has been taken by govt.We want govt to search for a mediator so that he is released.”
According to the sources, the CRPF is taking appropriate action in this regard. Earlier the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) issued an open letter mentioning its willingness to negotiate with the Central government. The banned outfit also proposed that the Centre announce mediators for the release of the captivated jawan.
“In the Bijapur attack, 24 security personnel lost their lives and 31 of them injured. One jawan is in our custody. Four People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army personnel lost their lives. We are ready to negotiate with the government. They can announce mediators. We will release him (captive jawan). Police jawans are not our enemies,” read the letter.
The Director General of CRPF Kuldiep Singh on Tuesday told ANI, “One jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas is still missing.
Rumours are that he is in the captivity of Naxals. Currently, we are verifying the news and planning an operation in that regard.”
22 security personnel lost their lives while 31 sustained injuries in an encounter that broke out between security forces and Naxals along the Sukma-Bijapur border on Saturday after a party of jawans were ambushed by Naxals near Jonnaguda village.