The families of Inspector Partho Biswas and schoolteacher Soumyajit Basu — who were abducted by Maoists from Purulia district’s Balarampur on October 23 — met chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers’ Building on Monday. They have requested him to take steps so that both men return home safely.

Those who met the chief minister included Swachhotaya Basu, wife of Soumyajit Basu, Barnali Biswas, wife of Partho Biswas, their children and some other relatives. They stayed with the chief minister for half-an-hour. The families refused to talk to the media after the meeting.

According to officials, the chief minister had assured them that the government is doing everything that it can to ensure their return.

The ADG, law and order, Surojit Purokayastha, meanwhile, said the government is making all efforts to see the two abducted persons are recovered. “At this stage, we cannot divulge much information regarding the investigation,” he said. “We suspect it was the Maoists who are responsible and most probably, the two men are not in West Bengal. We have got in touch with the Jharkhand government too.”

He said the abductors are yet to get in touch with the state police. “I am not aware whether they got in touch with the families,” the ADG said.

On Monday, the government transferred Rajesh Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Purulia district, to the Intelligence Bureau. He has been replaced by Sunil Choudhury, who was earlier with South 24 Parganas district.