03 January,2016 02:00 PM IST | | Chaitraly Deshmukh
Three young men from Maharashtra, who had kickstarted a cycle rally to Naxal-affected areas with the mission of 'Bharat Jodo' in an effort to promote peace and harmony safely arrived on Sunday noon at Chintalnar police camp. The trio was believed to be abducted by Naxalites in Chhatisgarh
3 youths from Maharashtra allegedly kidnapped by Naxals in Chhatisgarh
Three young men from Maharashtra, who had kickstarted a cycle rally to Naxal-affected areas with the mission of 'Bharat Jodo' in an effort to promote peace and harmony safely arrived on Sunday noon at Chintalnar police camp. The trio was believed to be abducted by Naxalites in Chhatisgarh, according to police sources.
The three youths identified as Vikas Valve, a resident of Pune, Shrikrishna Shewale and Aardarsh Patil, who both hail from Pathan and Karad in Satara district.
An officer who is part of the search operation said, "According to investigations the youths started their journey from Pune on December 20, and passing through several places of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, they were going to conclude it at Balamela in Odisha on January 10, 2016. Three days ago the trio entered the Chhatisgarh border via Bijapur in Maharashtra. From there they had planned to cycle in Bheeramgad, Dhantewadi and Sukuma village in Chhatisgarh then travel to Orissa and visit Kalahandi, Malangiri village."
He added, "They had reached Chhatisgarh three days back and as per their mobile phone tower location it seems they were last seen in Basaguda village and we suspect that Naxal dal Commander Pappu Rao might be involved in their kidnapping. Our investigation is in progress."
An officer from Pune city police said, "We just received information about their release and the trio are students. Our team is in constant touch with their parents."
-With inputs from agencies
