Admitting that Sidhu Soren, who is the chief of the Maoist-backed Sidhu-Kanhu Gana Militia, rang them up, the family today publicly criticised the joint forces for “detaining innocent villagers”.

“We received a call last night by Maoist leader Sidhu Soren. He told us my father will be released by today. We wanted to speak to my father, but he said it will not be possible,” Golok Duley, son of the abducted headmaster, told The Indian Express over phone from Sarenga, adding they were not given a timeframe. “We are indeed feeling happy after the phone call. But till we get him back in our home in good health, the tension would remain,” said Golok.

The police too were hopeful of the headmaster’s release. “They (Maoists) are under tremendous pressure and I hope they will release him soon. It is not possible for us to concede to their demands and release the six persons they have asked for,” said DGP Bhupinder Singh.

Duley’s family received a call late last night by the Maoists, who asked them to publicly speak up against the joint forces and demand the release of the 37 people detained during a raid in the Goaltore area yesterday, besides pressing for the release of the six arrested for the murder of Sarenga OC Rabilochon Mitra recently.

Likewise, Golok Duley today spoke to the media and made statements against the security forces. “I strongly condemn the security operation in Jangalmahal. Yesterday, security forces killed and detained innocent villagers in Goaltore. We also went to Sarenga police station and submitted a memorandum demanding the release of the 37 people detained in Goaltore yesterday, apart from releasing the six locals who have been arrested. We did just as the Maoists told us to do,” Golok said.