Bhubaneswar:
There is no word from the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the Maoists on whether the so-called Praja Court or people's trial of the abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka would take place today or not.
Five days ago, the Maoists had issued a statement saying they will inform the media about the verdict of the Praja Court on April 25. There are reports that the Maoists may postpone it 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, members of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) - a Maoist-backed tribal organisation.
However, there has been no communication from them over the last three days and that has given rise to apprehensions about the possible release of the 37-year-old tribal MLA.
A source close to Maoists says there is little hope of the MLA being freed today because the state government has not taken any steps to persuade them to do so. Another source says the MLA could be freed if he agrees to resign as the MLA of Laxmipur.
But as of now, there is no clarity on what the final decision of the Maoists and its frontal body, the CMAS will be in regard to the MLA's release.
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 is the release of Gananath Patra, the ailing 70-year-old CMAS advisor who has been in Koraput jail for nearly two years.
The Maoists have been demanding Patra's unconditional release since February last year after they abducted the then Collector of Malkangiri, R Vineel Krishna. 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 have told NDTV 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.