Patna, Sep 6: Relieved that the three police personnel held hostage by Maoists have been released safely, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has extended an invitation to the rebels to join politics.

Confirming that the rebels have released the three abducted policemen safely at press conference here on Monday, Sep 6, the Chief Minister said that Abhay Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Mohammad Ehsan Khan will soon return home.

He also expressed sadness over the killing of Lucas Tete, who was one among the four policemen abducted on Aug 29 by the Left Wing extremists.

The news of the release of the three policemen came on Monday, Sep 6 putting an end to the eight-day hostage crisis.

On Saturday, Sep 4, CM held an all-party meet and appealed to the Maoists to come forward for talks, which is being considered as the right political move at tje juncture.

Hailing the co-operation he received from all parties, Mr Kumar said, "Unity among the political parties made this possible."

The safe return of the abducted policemen does come as a huge political relief to the Chief Minister months ahead of the Bihar assembly polls.

Making another appeal to the Maoists to abjure violence, the Chief Minister has asked the rebels to join the political process and contest in elections.

"Violence will get you no where, join mainstream and contest in elections, " Nitish Kumar urged the Maoists.

OneIndia News