Bhubaneswar:
A day after the Italian tourist held hostage by Maoists in Odisha was released, a handwritten note in Odia, from the abducted MLA, Jhinn Hikaka addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been received by the state government.
In his letter Mr Hikaka says he is safe but has asked that for his release, all anti-Maoist combing and intelligence operation must be stopped. All rallies done to garner support for government should also stop. He goes on to write, that demands by Maoists should be acceded to and the Maoists and supporters of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) who are in Malkangiri and Koraput jails should be released.
Meanwhile, the Andhra-Odisha Border Zonal Committee which has taken responsibility for the abduction of Mr Hikaka on Saturday has also released its list of demands for his safe release.
Among the demands is the release of 66 political prisoners, immediate halt to Operation Greenhunt and complete implementation of the 14-point agreement they had with Odisha government before the release of the Malkangiri collector last year.
Written in Telegu and signed by Maoist leader Daya the letter enlisting the demands has warned against any police operation to rescue the abducted MLA.
According to sources close to Maoists, the two mediators presently negotiating with the state government for the release of the Italian national would also act as the mediators during the talks for the release of the young tribal MLA belonging to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
Although there are many common demands for release of both, the Italian tour operator and the MLA, the growing fissures between the Andhra-Odisha Border Committee of the CPI (Maoist) and the Odisha Organising Committee has complicated matters.
The abduction incidents have been rocking the state assembly and the Opposition Congress has refused to vacate the well of the House occupied by them since Saturday afternoon. On Monday the house had to be adjourned repeatedly following persistent and loud demands by Congress members for a CBI probe into the alleged links the ruling party has had with the Maoists with the active support of Mr Patnaik.
Congress members allege that the BJD entered into a written agreement with Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh ( CMAS ) to get the vote of a CMAS Zilla Parishad member for the election of the Koraput Zilla Parishad chief.
The talks between the two mediators Dr BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty and three senior Odisha government officials led by the Home Secretary UN Behera which was suspended on Saturday has been resumed on Monday. Speaking to NDTV the Home Secretary Mr Behera expressed hope that an early solution to the abduction incidents in Kandhamal and Laxmipur will be worked out.