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Maoists release seven poll officials in Bihar

May 17, 2011 13:30 IST

Maoists on Tuesday morning released seven members of a polling party, who were abducted by them two days ago in Bihar's Jamui district, police said.

According to police sources, the seven officials were released by Maoists near Kaukakol area in the district.

The release came a day after Bihar police and the Central Reserve Police Force launched a massive search operation to rescue them and started a backdoor move to establish communication with Maoists for their safe release, a police official in Jamui told rediff.com over telephone.

Maoist guerillas had on Sunday triggered a landmine, killing one person and damaging a vehicle carrying the poll officials in Jamui during the ninth phase of panchayat polls.

The officials were on their way early to conduct panchayat elections at polling station number 31 and 44 when the Maoists struck.

Maoists had reportedly demanded the release of two of the outfit's members for the safe release of the seven officials.
Jamui police had released the two suspect Maoists, who were arrested for interrogation following the landmine blast that hit polling party vehicle.