Three abducted policemen walked free on Monday after being released by Maoists in Bihar, ending eight days of a hostage drama that saw one of their colleagues killed. As their families rejoiced after days of agony, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar insisted there had been no deal with the rebels.

Policemen Abhay Kumar Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Ehsan Khan were freed around 6 am in Lakho Chak area of Lakhisarai district, about 150 km from here, and were said to be "safe and healthy".