LIVE TV
Odisha
Recommended Stories
"They (Maoists) have cautioned the government not to buy time or use the police to harm them," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told the assembly.
"I assure the members that all efforts are being made for ensuring the safe release of our colleague, the honourable member from Laxmipur," Patnaik said, adding the demands were being examined.
A communication in Telegu was received yesterday through the media from the Srikakulam-Koraput Divisional Committee of Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist) claiming to have abducted the MLA.
A letter purported to have been signed by the MLA addressed to the chief minister was also received, with the Maoists asking for immediate fulfillment of their demands and that they did not want negotiation through mediators, the chief minister said.
The letter listed seven main demands, including stopping of police combing operation and of intelligence gathering, withdrawal of all police camps, stopping of Green Hunt operations and halt to rallies and demonstrations for the release of the MLA, Patnaik said.
The letter also demanded unconditional release of the members of the Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Sangha and other ultras in Koraput and Malkangiri jails, no police action in the name of anti-Naxal operation and implementation of all the demands made at the time of release of former collector of Malkangiri, Vineel Krishna in February last year, he said.
Describing Hikaka as a tribal gentleman working for the welfare of tribals and poor, Patnaik renewed his appeal for the release of Hikaka unharmed and immediately. Patnaik was replying to an adjournment motion - "MLA abducted: Does Government exist" - moved by the opposition Congress on the MLA. Thirty-seven-year-old Hikaka was abducted near Toyaput on the Koraput-Laxmipur road around 1:00 am on March 24 while returning home to Laxmipur in Koraput district.
