Maoists insist on 30-prisoner demand to release BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka

BHUBANESWAR: The chances of release of the ruling Biju Janta Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka by one of the factions of the Maoist rebels seem bleak with the ultras insisting that they would not release the legislator unless 30 persons were released from jail as demanded by them.

The rebels had abducted Jhina on March 24 near Koraput. "We have asked for release of the 30 persons. The People's Court held on Tuesday has endorsed this demand. Unless this demand is met, we cannot release the MLA," Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee spokesperson Jagabandhu said in an audio tape released in the evening.

The other group of Maoists led by Sabyasachi Panda, the secretary of Odisha State Organising Committee (OSOC) on the other hand in an audio tape released on Wednesday slammed the state police saying it worked as "hired goons" of vested interests killing poor and innocent people in false encounters in the name of ant-Maoist operations.

"The gang rape of Arati Majhi by the policemen is an instance of police atrocities against poor," he added. Panda, however, praised the state government's efforts at reaching an agreement with the interlocutors on his 13 point demands.

"Though I'm yet to get a copy of the agreement, I have got the information that the government has considered all our demands. It's a welcome move," Panda said in the tape. This raises a ray of hope for release of Italian citizen Basusco Paolo (55) who along with his compatriot Claudio Colangelo was abducted by his group on March 14 from Daringibadi area in Kandhamal district.

On March 25, the rebels had released Colangelo as a "goodwill gesture." Rebel leader Panda said although his group had sought release of seven people, the government had agreed to facilitate release of five. "We hope the government would facilitate release of the remaining two persons," he added.

Though Panda did not specify when they would release Paolo, he said the Italian's release process would be easier if the government implemented the agreement immediately. On Tuesday, Sabyasachi Panda's wife Subhashree Panda was acquitted by a fast track court in Gunupur in connection with an encounter case.

Bail plea for Arati Majhi, whose name figure in the government list of 27 persons to be released in exchange for Paolo and Hikaka, was on Wednesday moved in a court in Gajapati district.