Patna, Aug 31 (IANS) Maoist guerillas Tuesday freed an abducted Bihar government official following an appeal by his wife and son.

Manoj Kumar Singh, the block development officer of Tariyani in Sheohar district, about 250 km from here, was released by Maoists near Muzaffarpur town. Singh reached his home safely, police said.

Muzaffarpur Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar told IANS that Singh was released by Maoists under police pressure after a massive rescue operation was launched in the last two days.

Singh was abducted Sunday from Tariyani Chhapra village, where he had gone to enquire about voters’ identity cards for the upcoming assembly elections.

Singh’s wife Lata and son Abhimanyu Singh appealed to the guerrillas to release him.

‘We request Maoists to release him. He is innocent and pro-poor,’ Lata told IANS Tuesday.

‘My father has nothing to do with any campaign against Maoists. He is not associated with any anti-Maoist operation. I request Maoists to release him,’ Abhimanyu added.

Abhimanyu also sought the intervention of President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to secure his father’s freedom.

‘My mother, brother and sister are frightened. They are worried about the safety of my father,’ he said.