The CPI (Maoists) are poised to tomorrow free Jhina Hikaka, the abducted legislator of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), after over a month in captivity. The Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the insurgents will release the 37-year-old MLA at Narayanpatna in down-state Koraput district, according to a source.
AOBSZC member Aruna, while confirming the news, said it was a “people’s court” held on April 23 and 24 that decided to free Hikaka.
The rebels had, in an audio message released earlier in the day, said they had agreed to release their hostage on an undertaking from him that he would resign as the MLA from Laxmipur in Rayagada district of southeastern Odisha. Hikaka would be handed over to his wife Koushalya and Koraput-based lawyer Nihar Patnaik at 10 am on Thursday at Narayanpatna.
Hikaka was kidnapped by the Naxals from his home district-Koraput on March 24. Thereafter, the outlawed extremists had demanded the release of 29 prisoners in Odisha jails in exchange for the MLA’s freedom.
Among the people they wanted to be released was Gananath Patra, the ailing 70-year-old leader of Naxal-backed banned tribal organization Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh, who has been in Koraput jail for nearly two years.
On his part, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik again appealed to the Naxalites to release the MLA unhurt. “I appeal to the Maoists to free the young tribal MLA in good health,” he said.
The Odisha government had offered to facilitate the release of 25 prisoners, including eight Naxals, and also said it would withdraw prosecution against 13 of them. The BJD workers staged a protest in the city and sat on a silent dharana in front of the Gandhi statue near the park, demanding Hikaka’s immediate release.
