Raipur: CRPF Cobra commander Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who was abducted by Maoists in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, has been released. The CRPF confirmed the release of the soldier. The jawan was taken hostage by Maoists during an encounter on April 3. 22 soldiers were martyred in the encounter. Five Maoists, including a woman, were killed. The soldier was released after five days in custody.
Rakeshwar was taken to the CRPF camp in Bijapur for a medical examination. The government had appointed Padma Shri Dharampal Saini and Gondwana Samad chief Thelam Boraiah for mediation talks with the Maoists. Preliminary information is that the jawan was released in the presence of them and hundreds of villagers. Seven local journalists participated in the discussion with the mediators.
The hours-long clash took place on April 3 in a forest area on the Sukmabaijapur border in the Sukma district. The martyrs were identified as Cobra Unit, CRPF, and District Reserve Guard personnel.
