The deadline set by the Maoists of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee for the release of kidnapped Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka ends today at 5 pm. The Maoist abductors in their last audio message issued on Tuesday morning had made it clear that they will free Mr Hikaka only after the Odisha government makes its stand clear on their demand for withdrawal of all cases against the 29 prisoners they want freed from jail.

The Odisha government, in response, had said that it will facilitate the release of only 25 prisoners, that too on bail. The state, however, promised to consider dropping charges against some prisoners, provided the MLA is released safely by 5 pm today. The state government in the press note also said that already two of the 25 prisoners have got bail from courts in earlier cases and appealed to Maoists to take steps to move the bail petitions of the rest as soon as possible.

The kidnapped MLA Hikaka on Tuesday spoke with the state Chief Secretary BK Patnaik and the BJD MP from Koraput, Jayaram Pangi over phone from the Maoist camp and requested them to take the Maoist demands seriously and thereby help ensure his safe release. He is believed to have said he is safe and in good health but worried over the delay in resolving the matter.

However, sources close to the Maoists have that the so-called softening of stand by the state government will not help resolve the matter. "The Maoists will not release the MLA until and unless the state government releases all 29 prisoners and agrees to withdraw all charges against them"- the source said adding they are angry over the state government's obstinate stand in regard to the release of Gananath Patra, the 70-year old ailing adviser of the Maoist-backed 'Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh' (CMAS). Patra's name figures in the list of 4 additional Maoist prisoners they want released. "It is not going to be as easy as it was in the case of the two Italians" abducted by the Odisha Maoists, the source warned.