Maoists free kidnapped Jharkhand legislator

Ranchi: A Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator from Jharkhand and his aide, who were abducted by Maoists in Latehar district one day ago, were released Friday, police said.

Ram Chandra Singh, RJD legislator from Manika assembly seat, returned to Latehar police station with his supporter on last afternoon. Police recorded his statement on the abduction.

"He was released near the Murmu jungle of Latehar after police built up pressure on the Maoist rebels by launching an operation," said Shashinath Jha, deputy inspector general of police (DIG), Palamau range.

The lawmaker was abducted along with six supporters when he was returning home after attending a party on Thursday night.

Singh is the RJD nominee for the Manika assembly seat in the upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls.

He was returning home with his supporters after attending a party at Tarwadih village when he was stopped by 20-30 armed men in the area, around 160km from Ranchi.

The kidnappers took the legislator and his supporters to a jungle nearby. Five of the supporters were released later.

Mine blast

Meanwhile, At least three three Indian paramilitary police personnel were killed yesterday in a landmine blast triggered by Maoist rebels in the eastern state of Orissa, news reports said.

The blast took place when a vehicle carrying Central Reserve Police Force personnel was crossing a culvert in Orissa's Malkangiri district, a TV channel reported.