Patna, Sep 2: As the disturbing and distressing reports of the Maoists killing one of four abducted policeman emerged, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appealed to the red rebels to come forward for talks across the table.

"We have been ready for talks," Nitish Kumar said on Thursday, Sep 2 on the sidelines of a function here.

"There should have been talks across the table... I appeal to everyone to come forward. To make one a prisoner and then haggle, is not good. After all, the policemen were doing their duty," he said.

A hostage crisis hit the state after the Left wing extremists abducted four police personnel on Sunday, Aug 31 during a fierce gunbattle. They demanded the release of eight of their arrested rebels and the halt of search and combing operations in the state by 4 pm on Sep 1.

After several extentions of deadlines, the Maoists late on Thursday, Sep 2 killed one of the abducted personnel, identified as Abhay Kumar Yadav.

"We respect the human rights of any person arrested, because this is a democracy. We look after their health, and the Leftwing rebels are part of our society. We also expect the same treatment of our people (policemen) by the Maoists," the CM said.

OneIndia News