BHUBANESWAR/JEYPORE: Even three days after the abduction of BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka along the Koraput-Laxmipur Highway, no concrete move has been initiated for his release. The Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI(Maoist) has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. However, the committee is yet to announce the names of any mediator. A letter, addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, bearing the name of Hikaka and received by post, was released to mediapersons at Koraput on Monday. It demanded immediate halt to combing operation by security forces, release of political prisoners, including ultras, and activists of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS). The letter, written in Odia, said, “I am safe and my health is good in the Maoist camp.” It demanded fulfilment of all the demands of the Maoists promised to be conceded by the State Government during the abduction of the then Malkangiri collector R Vineel Krishna in February last year. The letter sought a halt to holding of rallies and processions for release of the lawmaker. “The peace rallies have irked the Maoists and these should be stopped for my safety,” Hikaka said. He requested the Chief Minister to fulfil the demands for his early release and safety. Sources believe that the MLA has been kept in a Maoist camp in dense forest areas of Narayanpatna area and he wrote the letter addressed to Naveen two days back. In his statement on the hostage crisis in the Assembly, Naveen urged the Maoists to release Hikaka unharmed immediately. He said Hikaka has an excellent record of working hard for the welfare of the tribals and the poor as MLA of Laxmipur. Much before that he was working under watershed projects in drought-affected areas for uplift of tribals and other deprived sections in Koraput, Naveen added. After reviewing the situation in the evening, the Chief Minister said he has received the letter from Hikaka. The letter is being examined, he said and added the Government has also received demands from the Maoists for the release of the MLA. Sources said the Government is also exploring back channel negotiations with the Maoists as well as leaders of Naxal-backed CMAS in order to secure safe release of Hikaka. The abduction of the BJD law-maker on March 24 was preceded by gunning down of a police SI in Malkangiri on March 22 and killing of two policemen in a landmine blast in Koraput on March 18.
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