Naveen invites CMAS president for talks to flee Hikaka

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today again invited Nachika Linga the president of Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) for negotiation with the government to facilitate the safe release of Laxmipur BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka held hostage by the Maoists since March 23. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today stated in the assembly that the government was ready for talk regarding relieve of some CMAS members from jails to facilitate the relieve of the tribal MLA.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister convened an emergency meeting with higher officials to discuss issues relating to the relieve of the BJD legislator. The abductors had released an audio message and a letter demanding the relieve of the political prisoners held in different jails in lieu of the relieve of Jhina Hikaka and set April 5 as the deadline. It may be recalled that the CMAS president Nachika Linga had already refuted to take part in the dialogues while the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist) had turned down the government’s appeal to nominate negotiators for the talks.