Maoists Extend Deadline to April 18 to Release Abducted BJD Legislator

Maoists Extend Deadline to April 18 to Release Abducted BJD Legislator 15/04/2012

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,BUREAU CHIEF,THESE DAYS,ODISHA

ODISHA NEWS/BHUBANESWAR:



The Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), that had claimed the responsibility for BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka’s abduction have set April 18 as the deadline for the Government to meet their demands in exchange for the release of Hikaka whom they have held captive for over 20 days.

A Maoist leader who calls herself Aruna said in a statement sent to some local reporters on Sunday that the government has to release 29 prisoners in Balipeta village of Koraput district on April 18.

Later, the AOBSZC issued an audio message in Telugu in this regard. The Maoists want all charges against 29 prisoners, including the 23 who figure in the government’s list of to-be-released prisoners, to be dropped before they can consider releasing the MLA.

The rebels, who initially wanted 30 prisoners to be freed, have also scaled down their demand by not insisting on the release of rebel leader Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, who faces charges of killing more than 55 security personnel.

The new deadline from the rebels came days after the government said it cannot release Ghasi as he faced grievous charges.

Hikaka, the 37-year-old legislator from Laxmipur, was kidnapped by the Andhra-Odisha border special zonal committee of the Communist Party of India-Maoists in Koraput district March 24.

The Maoists had earlier announced an April 10 deadline for the government.

The government had appealed for the legislator’s release, but there was no response from the rebels in the past few days.

The people whose release the rebels have sought in exchange for the legislator are mostly members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), an organization working in the southern parts of the state, including in Malkangiri and Koraput districts, on tribal-related issues.

The rebels said they had been booked on false charges. Police however say the organization has Maoists support.