Maoists on Monday unconditionally released the three abducted Bihar policemen in Lakhisarai district, bringing an end to the nine-day-old hostage crisis.

There was no deal with Maoists to secure the release of three policemen abducted over a week ago, Bihar Chief Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, said on Monday, and asserted that the government has been "firm

The wife and son of an abducted Bihar government official on Tuesday asked Maoist guerrillas to release him from capitivity as he was innocent and pro-poor.

Manoj Kumar Singh, the block development