Bhubaneswar:
Jhina Hikaka, an MLA from Odisha who has been abducted by the Maoists, has written a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik saying the government is not taking any interest in his release "because he is a tribal". In the hand-written note sent to the CM, the BJD MLA has also threatened to resign.
He has also demanded the immediate release of "innocent tribals who have been branded as Maoists" and sent to jail. This, he has said, is the only way he can expect his own release from the Maoist camp. Hikaka added that at the moment, he is safe.
The Maoists, meanwhile, have issued a fresh audio statement, setting April 5 as deadline for the state government to accept their demands.
"We will release the MLA in our custody if the false cases slapped against members and leaders of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) in Koraput and Malkangiri districts are withdrawn and they are released. This demand must be met by the 5th of April. We assure the government, our friends will not cause any law and order situation once they are released. We hope the government will treat this with sympathy. There have been proposals for appointment of mediators. We have already made it clear we will not involve any mediators. We condemn the delay caused by the government's insistence on mediators. It is the responsibility of the Naveen government to release our friends from jail and secure the release of their MLA. Our deadline ends on 5th April," Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee Secretary Chandramouli said in his statement.
Jhina Hikaka, the 37-year old dynamic tribal leader who was elected for the first time to the state assembly in 2009 from the Laxmipur seat, was involved in a political deal earlier this month with the Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) in the neighbouring block of Narayanpatna, a well-known 'Red Zone' in Odisha's Koraput district.
The tribal MLA was abducted by Maoists in Koraput district of Odisha on March 24. The BJD leader was on his way back home at Laxmipur from Koraput. He was taken hostage by Maoists while his driver and personal security officer were let off.
The issue of the MLA's abduction was raised in the state Assembly with Opposition leaders voicing concern over the legislator's health condition and demanding a statement from the government. The Chief Minister has not made any statement on the hostage crisis since Friday last when he had briefed the Assembly about the issue.
Hikaka's wife Kausalya and his two minor sons had last week appealed to the abductors to release him. "My husband has worked a lot for the welfare of tribals. The abductors should release him immediately without delay," Kausalya had said.
The Maoists also hold Italian national Paolo Bosusco (54) hostage. The Puri-based Italian tour operator was abducted by the Maoists, along with compatriot Claudio Colangelo, while trekking in the dense forest and hilly areas of Kandhamal district on March 14. But the matter came to light through media only on March 17. Colangelo was, however, released on March 25 as a "goodwill gesture" by the Maoists.
On Monday evening, top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda released an audio tape, warning of dire consequences if the state government did not pay heed to their demand for the release of political prisoners.
The ultras say his release would depend on the Odisha government's seriousness regarding their demands. Sources say back channel efforts were underway by the state government to free the Paolo.