—PTI Hours before the deadline set by Naxals for releasing their jailed members in exchange for an abducted MLA, a retired Army officer approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday to restrain the Odisha government from meeting the Maoists' demands. Major-General (retd.) Gangurdep Bakshi pleaded that the government be restrained from releasing the Naxals as they had been captured by security forces while putting their lives at stake. Maj.-Gen. Bakshi, an expert in counter-terrorism...

-IANS As many as 7,563 rape cases were reported in Jharkhand during the ten-year period since the formation of the state in November 2000, a local NGO Jharkhand Human Rights Movement (JHRM) has reported. In a report titled "Jharkhand Human Rights Report 2001-2010", the human rights group said women in the state were easy prey to crimes like rape, witchcraft and dowry. The report, released here in the form of a book,...

-IANS A fast track court in Odisha Tuesday acquitted a top Maoist leader's wife in a 2003 shootout case for lack of evidence, sources said. Her release was sought by the rebels in exchange for an Italian who has been held captive by them since last month.  The fast track court at Gunpur in Rayagada district acquitted Subhashree Das, wife of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who was behind last month's Abduction of...

Maoists have demanded release of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) activists in exchange for Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka. While the CMAS is believed to be a Maoist front fighting for tribal land rights in Orissa’s Naxal belt, at the heart of its rise lie allegations of strong-arm tactics by security forces. The tarred roads that snake up the hills on way to Narayanpatna block in Koraput district are smooth but treacherous....

-The Telegraph Assam has witnessed one Abduction almost every two days this year. Despite militancy being on the decline, there has been no let-up in Abductions in the state. Assam forest minister Rakibul Hussain today told the Assembly that 56 Abduction cases have been registered in the state since January, which works out to 86 days till today. Replying on behalf of chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who holds the home portfolio, Hussain said between...