India, Oct. 1 -- Three people from Uttar Pradesh, who were working as traders in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, have gone missing from Maoist-affected areas over the past six weeks, with their families claiming abduction.

Police officials on Wednesday said the missing men have been identified as Altaf, Shoyab and Imran, all residents of Uttar Pradesh. They had been living in Bijapur and earned their livelihood by selling tarpaulins, blankets and other household goods in villages.

According to police, Altaf and Shoyab went missing about 45 days ago from the Pusabaka area, while Imran disappeared on September 11 from the Mired area. Both locations fall in Maoist strongholds of south Bastar.

Relatives of the missing traders have claimed...