Find mediator for commando’s release: CRPF chief to team

The Centre has asked the Chhattisgarh government to verify authenticity of a letter, purportedly written by Maoists, which said that missing Central Reserve Police Force commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas was in its custody. CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh followed this up by asking his team in Chhattisgarh to appoint a mediator for Manhas’ release, as demanded in the letter.

Police are exploring all channels, including contacting local villagers, to trace Manhas, a senior official said in Raipur on Tuesday. Police informers have also been activated. Manhas belongs to the 210th battalion of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, (CoBRA) a unit of the CRPF. He went missing following the ambush on security personnel conducting a search operation for People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army chief Madvi Hidma on Saturday. Twenty-two jawans were killed in the ambush.

The two-page letter said Maoist attacked the forces and put forth demands for release of the commando. It acknowledged death of four Maoist commanders in the attack. The statement signed by ‘Vikalp’ spokesperson of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) of the Maoists said that four PLGA cadres were killed in the encounter at Tarrem on April 3. It said that Maoists seized 14 weapons, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition and other items belonging to the security forces. The killed PLGA cadres were identified as Odi Sanni, Padam Lakhma, Kowasi Badru and Nupa Suresh, all residents of South Bastar. The statement said that Madvi Sukkal, another villager, was also killed before the encounter.


Chhattisgarh Police had said in a statement on Sunday that the central forces had gone to Tarrem capture Hidma who was said to be in the area. Hidma’s age and looks are still a matter of speculation with security agencies suggesting he is around 45. They have a bundle of old photos of a young man who they believe is Hidma. He carries a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh in Chhattisgarh.