CRPF CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas who was captured and held captive by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh for more than 100 hours after 3rd April’s gun battle, was released on Thursday evening.
Rakeshwar Singh Manhas is a constable of the 210th CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), which is an elite wing of the CRPF. Manhas was safely handed over to the Chhattisgarh police and to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
C.G. Arora, IG, Operations of CRPF said, “Our CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas has reached our camp safely. He is being sent for medical examination,”. He also said Manhas is physically fine.
Rakeshwar’s family in Jammu celebrated the news of his release. His family members along with his neighbors raised slogans and celebrated the good news of his release by distributing sweets.
Manhas’s wife Meenu did not sleep since he was kidnapped.
Meenu thanked PM Modi and further said they are very happy after his release and mentioned she did not sleep for 6 days.
Manhas got missing after the fierce gun battle with over 300 PLGAs ultras in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on 3rd April. During this battle, 22 jawans were killed 31 were injured and Manhas was captured.
Over 1,000 security personnel of the CRPF and Chhattisgarh’s District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) were part of the operations and the gun battle took place on Saturday noon near Tekulgudem village which is under Tarrem police station.
The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of the banned CPI-Maoist on Tuesday made the announcement that Manhas was “safe” in their custody and sought an interlocutor appointed to for his release.
While the Ministry of Home Affairs along with the Chhattisgarh government was scrutinizing the names of likely interlocutors, Maoists released Manhas.
