Patna, Sep 6 (IANS) There was no deal with Maoists to secure the release of three policemen abducted over a week ago, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Monday, and asserted that the government has been 'firm on unconditional talks' with the rebels.

'There was no deal. The government was firm on unconditional talks. We did everything possible. I feel that our appeal after the all-party meeting (Saturday) helped end the crisis,' Nitish Kumar told reporters here.

'The three released policemen have been sent to their homes,' he said. While Ehsan Khan hails from Jharkhand, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Abhay Yadav, belong to Bihar. The fourth abducted cop, Lucas Tete, was, however, killed by the rebels Sep 3.

Nitish Kumar said he regretted the killing of Tete, who too belonged to Jharkhand.

He said the joint appeal by political parties and public pressure helped. 'I'm grateful to all political parties for making a joint appeal to the Maoists,' he said.

Nitish Kumar also thanked the media and the public for pitching in.

Police said the three cops 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 chief minister, however, said he could not guarantee that such incidents would not occur again. 'Nobody can guarantee that such incidents will not be repeated,' he said.

He stressed that the onus of security was not just on states and said that central forces be provided for the Bihar assembly elections to be held later this year.

The three policemen's release comes days after the bullet-riddled body of Lucas Tete was found near a forest in Lakhisarai district. The four policemen were abducted by Maoists after a six-hour gunfight in Lakhisarai Aug 29. The gunbattle had left seven policemen dead and 10 injured.