In a telephone conversation with this correspondent, a spokesperson for Ms. Neeti, East Bastar Divisional Commander of the CPI (Maoist), said the five men would be released sometime “soon” at an undisclosed location in the presence of civil society activists.

The spokesperson said the policemen would be released on the following four conditions: The Chhattisgarh police cease all movements and search operations in the period preceding and subsequent to the handover of hostages. No villagers should be arrested in connection with the kidnapping either prior to, or after, the release of hostages. The police should not restrict the movement of the civil society activists or harass them in any way, and no policemen should be present at the time of the handover.

Activist Swami Agnivesh said he would be present when the men were released. The Chhattisgarh police have indicated their difficulty in dealing with the demands.