"Both the government and the Maoists must not remain stubborn in their respective positions. They must be flexible and come to a dialogue for a proper solution,” said the tired voice of 34-year old Atindranath Datta abducted by Maoists in an audacious strike on Tuesday noon in western Bengal.

Hindustan Times was the first to speak to the officer in charge of Sankrail police station at two in the night on Wednesday.

“I am aware of the demand of both sides, but as a government servant I am unable to comment on them. All I want is that they should negotiate. But you can never be sure in such situations,” said Datta. Datta was surrounded my armed guerillas all the time.

“Please have patience,” Datta said for members of his family. He is supposed to have written a letter for his family that will be given to the media by the Maoists on Thursday.

Datta admitted to be under great anxiety, though not under physical stress.

“They have treated me well. They are sharing their food with me,” he said.

Datta is being given puffed rice as snacks. Meals consist of daal, vegetables and rice.

The abducted officer has no idea where he is or how far is he from Sankrail.

“I have seen only jungles after they took me away. But I haven’t seen any locals. Armed guerillas are surrounding me all the time,” he said.

But it was clear that he and Kishanji, the 51-year old politburo member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) were at the same spot.

When this correspondent called Kishanji and asked for Datta, the Maoist leader handed over the phone to Datta a few minutes later. Kishanji claimed that Datta was at a place called Lakshmanpur, though he didn't clarify where it is.