Maoists release abducted officials

Ranchi, Mar 21: The five persons, including four government officials, who were kidnapped by Moaists from Jharkand on Saturday noon were released unharmed a few hours later, according to reports on Sunday.

The five persons were abducted at gun point from Bandhua village, under Manika block, of Latehar district when they were visiting the area to inspect implementation of development projects.

Among the kidnapped persons were additional judicial magistrate Shrawan Soya, PWD officer H Bhengra, assistant engineer A R Sakya and dairy officer Vinod Sharma.

Their driver Kiran Singh was also taken away by the armed rebels.

Four of them were released at nearby Gumla a few hours later. The PWD officer was released a little later, police said.