Patna, Sep 6 (IANS) There was no deal with Maoists to secure the release of three policemen who were abducted over a week ago, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Monday adding that the released cops had been sent home.

'There was no deal with the Maoists...I'm grateful to all political parties for making a joint appeal to the Maoists to get the three policemen freed,' Nitish Kumar told reporters here.

'The three released policemen have been sent to their homes,' he added.

Nitish Kumar also thanked the media and the public for pitching in to secure their release.

Police said the three cops - Abhay Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Ehsan Khan - were set free by the Maoists early Monday, eight days after they were abducted in Lakhisarai district. They were released in Lakho Chak area, said state police chief Neelmani.

The release comes days after the bullet-riddled body of Lucas Tete, another abducted policemen, was found near a forest in Lakhisarai district.

The four policemen, including Tete, were abducted by Maoists after a six-hour gunfight in Lakhisarai Aug 29. The gunbattle had left seven policemen dead and 10 injured.