Relatives of captured CRPF commando hold protest in Jammu

People in Jammu held a protest demonstration against the government's delay in securing the safe release of a CRPF soldier from the clutches of Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The CRPF jawan's family and relatives also participated in the protest.

Jammu: Relatives of captured Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas held a protest demonstration in Jammu against the government's lackadaisical approach and inordinate delay in securing his safe release from the clutches of Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

Manhas, a resident of Netra Kothi village in the Barnai area in the outskirts of Jammu city is in the custody of Maoists after they ambushed a CRPF commando team on Saturday evening killing 22 troopers.

On Tuesday, the authorities confirmed that Manhas was in the custody of Maoists.

A group of villagers including close relatives of the captured trooper gathered at Barnai on Wednesday and staged a protest against the central government and the UT administration.

"The government is not taking any measures to ensure the safe release of our soldier," a protester told ETV Bharat.

Protestors heckled the local sub-divisional magistrate who attempted to calm them down and raised slogans against Home Minister Amit Shah.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that what efforts are being made by the government cannot be made public due to security reasons.

"My sympathy is with the soldier and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, as well as Union Home Minister, are making all the efforts to ensure the safe release of the missing soldier," he added.

Earlier, the wife of the missing soldier Meenu manhas appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure her husband's safety.

"My husband is in the custody of Naxals. I want to appeal to the government to ensure his release immediately. He has been fighting for the country for a decade. Today, it is incumbent upon the country to fight for him," Meenu said.

Manhas's lone daughter who is studying in Ist standard in a local school also appealed for his release. His father, who has also served in the CRPF, has expired some years ago.