No knowledge about Maoists releasing hostages: Nitish

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said he had no knowledge about Maoists releasing the three policemen abducted by them during the Lakhisarai encounter on August 29.

"I have no knowledge about the release of the hostages (by the Maoists)," Kumar told reporters here.

His comments came as Maoists on Sunday claimed that they have released the hostages.

According to footage beamed on a local channel, a Maoist leader identifying himself as 'Kisanji' met family members of one of the kidnapped policemen Abhay Prasad Yadav in the wee hours day and claimed that he would be home soon.

Kumar had yesterday said the all-party meeting had reached a consesus on appealing to the Maoists to release the hostages unconditionally and for offering safe passage for the representatives of their side coming forward for talks to end the hostage crisis.