Three TDP leaders held captive by Maoists released

Three local leaders of Telugu Desam Party who were allegedly held captive by Maoists in Visakhapatnam since October 5 have been released today, police said. "All three leaders have reached their homes at 5 AM today," Visakhapatnam District Superintendent of Police K Pravin told PTI over phone. A group of Maoists, had allegedly held Telugu Desam mandal unit president Mamidi Balayya Padal, senior leader Vandalam Balayya and district committee member Mukkala Mahesh, hostage after summoning them from their Kothaguda village. The rebels had demanded that the government drop plans to exploit bauxite in the 'agency' area, the officer said. Maoists through their network had asked the three TDP men to meet them at Dharkonda in the district and on assurance that they will not be harmed, the TDP leaders went to meet them but were held captive, the SP had earlier said.