Odisha Mla To Be 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.

• 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 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...

• As deadline nears for hostages release, Odisha govt scrambling to meet demands

  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...

• Odisha names prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages

  In exchange for an Italian tour guide and an MLA, the Odisha government has agreed to release 27 prisoners, including eight Naxals. The hostages are being held by two rival factions of Naxals. No date has been fixed yet for the release of the prisoners. Here are 10 big facts on this story:

• Will swapping prisoners for hostages make things worse for Odisha?

  In exchange for an Italian tour guide and an MLA, the Odisha government has agreed to release 27 prisoners, including eight Naxals. The hostages are being held by two rival factions of Naxals. Here are 10 big facts on this story:

• Abducted Odisha MLA writes to Naveen Patnaik

  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 op...