Naxals take researcher,guide hostage in Bihar

A Bangalore-based researcher and her local guide may have been taken hostage by Naxalites in Khaira area of Jamui,the police said on Wednesday.

There has been no communication with 24-year-old Juhi Tyagi,a researcher on Naxalism,and her local guide,Pradip,an 18-year-old from Rapabel village under Khaira police station,since 10 am Tuesday,when the two ventured into Harkhad jungle,a known hideout of the rebels. It is believed that Tyagi wanted to meet the Naxalites and know more about them.

The researcher,who had been in Jamui for the past 20 days,was to return to Bangalore on Wednesday. Though no FIR has been registered yet,the police confirmed the two have been missing.

Pradips parents said the rebels mistook them for police spies and took them hostage,adding they received calls from Naxalites but have not registered a case out of fear.