PATNA, 3 February 2005 — Kishlay Kaushal Gupta, a Delhi Public School student of Patna whose abduction had become a major election issue in Bihar, and another kidnapped student of Bhagalpur, Dipak Bharti, were freed and united yesterday with their families, a day before the first phase of state assembly polls.

Kishlay was kidnapped on Jan 19.

After almost two weeks of intense drama, Kishlay, a Grade IX student of DPS Patna, was released by his captors in Sipara locality in Patna yesterday morning, while Dipak, a Grade IX student of DAV Public School at Bhagalpur, abducted on Jan. 25, walked to freedom at Kantainthi village in Bhagalpur, officials said. The two boys returned to the arms of their parents to an emotional reunion.

Although appearing thin and unkempt, Kishlay said his abductors had not physically harmed him. “I am very happy to be back. I was not beaten up or anything,” he told reporters at his home, surrounded by family and well-wishers. Another DAV student Ravikant who went missing on Jan. 24 in Biharsharif is still missing.

Congratulating the Patna police for its success in getting the safe release of Kishlay, Bihar strongman, Lalu Prasad Yadav said that the Chunnu Thakur gang had kidnapped Kislay. He also tried to associate, Thakur with Lok Janshakti Party of Ram Vilas Paswan by saying that “Thakur had applied for a party ticket for his wife from LJP to contest in the assembly polls.” Lalu said, that Kishlay’s kidnapping was done to defame, RJD and Bihar government.

However, the LJP chief, Ram Vilas Paswan blamed the RJD for kidnapping spree in Bihar and said, Lalu is the leader of the gang. He also out rightly rejected the talks that LJP had anything to do with Chunnu Thakur.

Stage Set for First Phase of Voting

Meanwhile, all the necessary arrangements have been made for the first phase of assembly elections in the eastern state of Bihar and Jharkhand scheduled to take place today. The first phase of polling will cover 64 assembly constituencies in Bihar and 24 seats in Jharkhand. Most of the constituencies going to polls today in both the states are naxal-affected. All 24 seats in Jharkhand have been declared as hyper sensitive, whereas, 45 assembly seats in Bihar were also declared as hypersensitive. About 70,000 security personnel have been deployed ahead of the voting in Bihar, police said yesterday.

“A massive security umbrella has been provided to instill confidence among the voters in the wake of threats from the Maoists,” said police spokesman Neelmani Kumar.

Paramilitary force, Central Reserve Police Force, Bihar and Jharkhand police will be deployed at all the polling stations in both the states. Section 144(prohibition on a gathering of four or more persons at one place, or any processions) has been declared in all the constituencies.

The administration has also stepped up security along Bihar’s 700 km border with Nepal.

Despite all security arrangements, fear of large-scale violence loomed large over Bihar and Jharkhand. Police officials said they feared that there could be violence. Sources in the Home Department said Special Task Force (STF) would use two choppers, specially given by the center, to monitor polling from the skies.

“One chopper will be stationed in Jamui district and the other in Gaya or Rohtas; all three districts are known strongholds of Maoist guerillas,” official adding special security arrangements have been made in Gaya, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal, Nawada and Jamui — all naxal-infested areas.