Bhubaneswar:
Even as the 96 hour deadline for the release of the Italian tourist, given to the Odisha government by Sabyasachi Panda gets closer, the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, made another statement to the house clarifying that the Maoist chief was not correct in his accusations of the government efforts being a farce.
"Yesterday Sabyasachi Panda had stated through media that names of prisoners given by mediators were not considered. That is not correct that we have not considered names given by mediators. We were given six names out of that we have considered release of five," said Mr Patnaik.
The two mediators Dr. B D Sharma and Dandappani Mohanty meant to have withdrawn from the talks today seem to have been persuaded by the government to continue.
"What emerges is a complete lack of communication between the government, mediators and the Maoists," Home Secretary U N Behera told the press. "The Chief Minister gave a detailed statement we apprised mediators and we are hopeful by evening we can conclude the discussion," added Mr Behura.
In the meanwhile the other Maoist group which has held the Biju Janata Dal MLA captive, has issued another threat. They want five other members released by April 10 if Mr Hikaka is to be safely released and has warned of 'dire consequences' if their demand is not met.
Speaking to NDTV over the phone, Jagabandhu, the spokesperson for the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) said if the state government does not release the prisoners after withdrawing all charges against them by April 10, they would decide on the fate of the BJD MLA who is in their custody. Jagabandhu has said the claim the Odisha government that there are eight Maoists in the list of 27 prisoners is incorrect. In reality there are only two Maoists in the government's list and that they now want the release of five regular Maoist leaders and cadres. They are Chheda Bhushanam alias Ghasi, Gananath Patra, Suna Pangi, Singa Nachika and Valsi Wadeka who are now lodged in the Koraput jail.
When told that the state government has indicated that there will be some delay in releasing the prisoners because there is a judicial process involved in the exercise, the Maoist spokesperson said they did not recognise so-called judicial processes. "The people are our judiciary", he said adding "all the prisoners named by the government should be released without any conditions and all cases against them have to be withdrawn by April 10".
Jagabandhu said the MLA, Jhina Hikaka is in good health and safe but his safety cannot be guaranteed after the deadline expires. "We will take the next step if the government does not fulfill our demands", he warned.
Incidentally, the deadline set by both the Maoist groups is April 10 and it also coincides with the date on which a court in Rayagada district will deliver its verdict on the case against Subhashree Panda, wife of the top Odisha Maoist, Sabyasachi.
With a new set of demands being made for the release of Mr Hikaka, it appears, the Odisha government has its job cut out to ensure that both men are released safely.