Jhina Hikaka Released

• Maoists to release new audio tape on resignation: Odisha MLA

  Three days after being freed by the Maoists, Odisha's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Laxmipur, Jhina Hikaka today said the ultras are likely to release a fresh audio message which could clear the air over his possible resignation as a legislator.

• Freed by Maoists, Odisha MLA Jhina Hikaka does a U-turn

  After saying that the government hadn't done enough to secure his release from the Maoists, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka has, in a U-turn of sorts, said that he had no idea about the efforts undertaken by the authorities to free him as he was being held hostage by the Left ultras.

• Released MLA Jhina Hikaka may have Stockholm Syndrome, says BJD

  Odisha MLA Jhina Hikaka has been released by his Maoist abductors after 32 days in captivity. His party, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is worried that he might be suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome, where a hostage seems sympathetic towards his captors.

• Maoists release Odisha MLA Jhina Hikaka

  After holding MLA Jhina Hikaka in captivity for over a month, the Maoists released the 32-year-old Odisha politician today at around 10 am in Balipeta, near Narayanpatna. His abductors said in a message yesterday that they would release the 32-year-old MLA to his wife Koushalya and a Koraput-based lawyer.

• Jhina Hikaka will quit as MLA after release, claims Maoist spokesperson

  The Maoist abductors of Odisha politician Jhina Hikaka have said they will release the Laxmipur MLA tomorrow. In an audio message released today, the Maoists said that they had agreed to release their hostage on an undertaking from him that he would resign as an MLA and snap all ties with his party, the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

• Odisha MLA abduction: Fresh demands by Maoists

  It has been a month since the abduction of Odisha's BJD Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jhina Hikaka. But there is still no sign of his release. Maoists have made fresh demand to release all the 70 jailed members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), instead of their earlier demand to release 29 prisoners, in exchange of Mr Hikaka. Sources ...

• Maoists make new demand to release abducted Odisha MLA

  Nearly a month after BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka was kidnapped by Maoists in Odisha, they have made it clear on Saturday that they would not free him until the state government takes proactive steps to release all members of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) who are in jail now. Daya, a senior leader of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee ...

• Odisha MLA abduction: Court notices to Centre, state on Maoists' release

  The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre and the Odisha government on a petition seeking to restrain the release of jailed Maoists in exchange for captive Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jina Hikaka.

• Odisha MLA abduction: Retired Army officer moves court to stop release of Maoists

  A retired Army officer has moved the Supreme Court to stop the Odisha government from releasing jailed Maoists in exchange of abducted Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Jhina Hikaka. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the plea tomorrow.

• MLA abduction: Maoist deadline for Odisha government ends at 5 pm today

  The deadline set by the Maoists of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee for the release of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka expires today at 5 pm. The Maoist abductors in their last audio message issued on Tuesday morning had made it clear that they will free Mr Hikaka only after the Odisha government makes its stand clear on ...

• Odisha government may consider withdrawal of some cases if MLA Jhina Hikaka is released

  In what is being seen as a softening of its earlier stand, the Odisha government has said it will seriously consider withdrawal of charges against some of the 25 prisoners if the Maoists release the abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka by 5 pm on April 18. The state Panchayati Raj Secretary PK Jena who was one of the three negotiators on behalf of the state g...

• Odisha MLA hostage crisis: Maoists extend deadline to April 18

  The fate of the tribal MLA abducted by Maoists in Odisha continues to hang in the balance. The ultras have further extended the deadline to April 18 for the state government to release 29 prisoners in return for setting free ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA, Jhina Hikaka.

• Odisha hostage crisis: Maoists refuse to free MLA

  Maoists holding BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka on Wednesday refused to free him unless 30 rebels, including one accused of killing 55 policemen, were released, while another group which abducted Italian Paolo Bosusco said it was awaiting the agreement struck with the government.

• Odisha hostage crisis: Will release Paolo Bosusco through a democratic process, says Sabyasachi Panda

  In a fresh audio message released today, Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda has said Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco, who has been in his captivity for close to a month, will be released through a "democratic process". Mr Panda also says that he has received a copy of the joint statement signed by the Odisha government and the Maoist-appointed mediators,...

• Odisha hostage crisis: Deadline ends today; govt talks tough

  With the deadline given by Maoists in Odisha for the release of two hostages, Italian national Paolo Bosusco and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka set to end today, the state government has toughened its stand. Last night, three senior officials including the state Home Secretary, who were involved in the negotiations to free the Italian hosta...