Hostages yet to be released by Naxals

Wife of top Naxal leader set free as deadline expires

The hostage crisis involving abduction of Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka and Italian national Paolo Bosusco continues to be shrouded in mystery even as Subhashree Das, wife of top Naxal leader Sabyasachi Panda was set free on Tuesday, coinciding with the deadline given by the outlawed extremists to release the abductees.

Panda, secretary of the Odisha state organizing committee of the banned CPI (Maoists) through a fresh audio tape said he is yet to receive any pact signed between state officials and Naxal mediators on fulfillment of his demands. “We have not got any assurance from the state government regarding release of seven prisoners and fulfillment of our 13-point charter of demands.”

Meanwhile, top state officials maintained no fresh communication was received from the Andhra Pradesh Odisha zonal committee of the Naxals that had claimed responsibility for the abduction of the MLA.

“We have not received any communication from the Andhra Pradesh Orissa zonal committee of the Naxals on any fresh demand,” said U N Behera, home secretary.

Regarding demand for release of five more prisoners, he said, “The demand is being considered. No decision has been taken.”

On the possibility of Subhashree Das being arrested yet again, Behera said, “The state government will value its commitment made to release 27 prisoners.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appealed to the Naxals to immediately set free the MLA and the Italian national unharmed and ‘in good health’.

“Certain legal procedures are to be followed in the release of the 27 prisoners,” Patnaik said.

As per the assurance made by the chief minister, Subhashree Das alias Mili Panda was acquitted by a fast track court. Additional District Judge, Gunupur B Pratap Chandra Patnaik acquitted her due to lack of evidence about her involvement in a shootout incident which took place at Kutuniganda forest in Rayagada district. The incident, which occurred nine years back, involved exchange of fire between the Red rebels and the security personnel.