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Patna, Sep 1 (IANS) Bihar govt. suspended Lakhisarai Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Singh on charges of irregularity and negligence of duty during a gunfight with Maoists in which seven policemen were killed and four were abducted by the rebels.

"Singh was suspended in view of the growing anger against him among policemen in the district and reports of negligence during duty while handling the gunbattle with the Maoists," an official said.

The Bihar Policemen's Association also demanded his suspension after the killing of seven policemen and abduction of four officers by guerrillas Sunday.

Angry association leaders assaulted Singh Monday for his negligence in sending reinforcement during the gunbattle.

However, the state government has intensified anti-Maoist operations and rescue searches for the four abducted policemen, even as Maoists set an ultimatum to release their eight jailed cadres by Wednesday 4 p.m., failing which they would kill all the captives.

"The state government has not officially received any ultimatum from the Maoists. Only the media has reported about the ultimatum... and it may or may not be true," said Director General of Police Neelmani.

Operations have been launched by combined forces of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Task Force of Bihar police in the hilly terrain of Lakhisarai and its adjoining Jamui and Munger districts to rescue the policemen.

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