Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka, who has been in Maoist captivity for over a month now, could be released tomorrow, say sources. According to reports, the MLA may be presented today in the Maoists’ ‘Praja’ Court, which may decide to release him. The Maoist deadline for the state governments of Odisha and the Chhattisgarh ends today.
Mr Hikaka was kidnapped by the Maoists in his home district of Koraput on March 24.
Sources say at the root of the present impasse in Odisha is the release of Gananath Patra, the ailing 70-year-old CMAS (Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh) advisor who has been in Koraput jail for nearly two years.
The Maoists have been demanding Mr Patra’s unconditional release since February last year after they abducted the then Collector of Malkangiri, R Vineel Krishna. Mr Patra’s name also figured in the list of prisoners that both the Odisha Maoists as well as abductors of the MLA wanted freed for the release of the hostages.
Sources close to the Maoists had earlier told that the MLA could walk free as and when the state government decides to free Gananath Patra and announces expeditious trial by a fast track court of all cases pending against imprisoned CMAS members.
Sources had also said that the Maoists in Odisha may extend the deadline by a couple of weeks to mount pressure on the state government to concede to their one-point demand for the unconditional release of 29 prisoners.
In Chhattisgarh, Sukma Collector Alex Menon’s wife made another appeal to the Maoists on Tuesday for the safe release of her husband, whose condition is critical, according to a statement by the abductors.
“It’s our appeal to Mrs Asha Paul Menon, his friends, family and IAS officers that Mr Alex Paul Menon’s health is very critical. It’s our request to please send his medicines from the mediators. The delay being caused by the officials is responsible for his bad health and if something happens, it will be the government’s responsibility,” said the statement.
Hours after the statement was released, former MLA from Konta district Manish Kunjam was rushed by the state government with urgent medicines for Mr Menon.
Mr Kunjam is one of the three mediators named by the Maoists, who they would be willing to negotiate through. Prashant Bhushan, another mediator named by the Maoists, has however refused to take part in the negotiation process.
Mr Menon was abducted on Saturday. About 500 Maoists are said to be holding him captive in the south Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
——Agencies