A Jharkhand Officer P K Layek abducted by Maoists a week back was set free today after the state government agreed to release some jailed persons bowing to the demand by the Naxals in an apparent swap deal that has angered ruling JMM's coalition partner BJP.
The release was announced after the Shibhu Soren government moved the legal process for releasing some jailed persons. In a key demand, the Naxals wanted 14 'innocent' persons including some women to be freed from a jail at Dalbhumgarh.
"He was set free at 6.35 pm. Now the BDO is with the administration," Home Secretary J B Tudbid told PTI minutes after the 37-year-old Block Development Officer was spotted by the East Singhbhum Superintendent of Police near a school at Harian village in Ghatsila sub-division.
Soren had promised to initiate the legal process for the release of the persosn who have been accused of sheltering Naxals.
Layek had been abducted by four armed Maoists from Dalbhumgarh on February 13 nearly five months after the Maoists kidnapped and beheaded Special Branch officer Francis Induwar.
The announcement of Layek's release came hours after the bail petition of two out of the 14 jailed people whose freedom the Maoists) have sought for his safe release was moved in the Ghatsila court.
BJP government reacted with anger over the government's decision and said it has lodged its protest.
'This (the decision of the Jharkhand government to swap prisoners with an abducted block development officer) is an aberration which needs to be corrected. We are very strong on this subject that we cannot succumb to Naxal threats," party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said in New Delhi.
Authorities played down the swap deal.
IGP V D Deshmukh denied that the state government succumbed to pressure. "We have only reviewed cases where charges have not been substantiated," he said. PTI
Meanwhile, relief was written large on the beaming face of Julie Layek after the ordeal was over with the release of her husband.
"I am very happy for my daughter as my husband is coming back after so many days. I spoke with the Naxals and they have listened to me. They sent him back without harming him..," she said.
Julie had threatened to immolate herself and her four-year-old daughter in front of Chief Minister Sibu Soren's residence if any harm was caused to her husband.
The Dalbhumgarh BDO's wife also thanked the government for its effort in ensuring the release of Prashant.
"I am thankful to the government that they tried to do the process (of releasing him) very quickly. Am eagerly waiting for his arrival."
The Taliban-style execution of police officer Induwar haunted the BDO's family and the administration as well, prompting Soren to accept the Maoist's demand.
Soren's Press Adviser Safiq Ansari said the Chief Minister would not make any statement on the release tonight. PTI
