Odisha MLA Kidnap: Maoists Demand More Releases

It is almost a month now that the Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee maoists have kidnapped an Odisha BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka, yet there is no sign of his release. On the otherhand, maoists have put forth a fresh demand to release 70 people from jail in exchange for Jhina Hikaka.

The Maoists had earlier sought that 29 prisoners be released. All the 70 people that they now want released from jail are members of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), a Maoist-backed tribal organisation.  Sources have told that the Maoists are under severe pressure from the CMAS to ensure the release of their jailed members before the Biju Janata Dal MLA is set free.

A senior leader of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee Daya had on Saturday also issued a hand-written letter in Telugu holding the state government responsible for the inordinate delay in the release of Mr Hikaka. Earlier the Maoists have said Hikaka's release will be decided at a Praja Court or people's court, where the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) is expected to press for the release of their jailed members. The abductors have said they would convey by April 25, through the media, what the decision of the praja court was.

The Odisha government has offered to facilitate the release of 25 prisoners, including 8 Maoists, and said it will withdraw prosecution against 13 of them, including 5 Maoists. The Maoists have refused to accept that. A senior government official also said that the state government will welcome any proposal by any eminent person or civil society leader willing to talk to the Maoists or help resolve the hostage crisis. Now the release of Hikaka depends on the outcome of the verdict of the people's court on 25 April. Will people's court agree for the government's offer, or side with CMAS' demand for release of 70 prisoners, is to be waited and seen.