Bhadrachalam, December 26: After 36 hours of captivity, the four kidnapped tribals were freed by the Maoists this morning in Chintaguppa forest area in Cherla Mandal.
The Maoists kidnapped the four tribals at Danavaipet village early morning yesterday, branding them as police informers.
Among the kidnapped were S Subbaiah, B Achuyut, K Venkateswarlu and Payam Chalapathi. According to S Subbaiah and Achuyut, the Maoists took them into Chintaguppa forest area and warned that they would face dire consequences if they act as police informers. The Maoists also threatened to kill them. The Maoists also sent a message with the kidnapped that no person should work against them or else they would have to face the consequence.
The family members and local political leaders had urged the Maoists to release the kidnapped tribals. The families of the kidnapped have expressed happiness over their release. However, combing operation are being continued in the agency area. Hundreds of Grey hounds and central reserve police forces are hunting for the Maoists on Andhra- Chattishgarh border.
–Agencies