Security forces opened fire on Maoists who were to produce kidnapped police officer Atindranath Dutta before the media at Lakhanpur village in West Midnapore district this morning.
A CRPF officer said mortars were also used when the Maoists retaliated.
Maoist leader Kishenji told PTI that he has asked the security forces to stop the firing otherwise the officer-in-charge of Sankrail police station, who was kidnapped on October, 20 would be beheaded.
He said that the security forces, which followed journalists to the village, cordoned it off and began firing at around 9:10 am, but it has just stopped.
“I cannot guarantee the safety of the police officer if there is firing,” he said.
