Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the Orissa State Organising Committee (OSOC) of the CPI-Maoist, in an audiotape released on Friday evening, charged that the abduction of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka was an “Orissa government-sponsored drama” enacted to weaken OSOC’s demands.
“Since BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka has very close links with the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh, which is active in his Assembly constituency, his party asked him to enact a hostage drama so as to rob the strength of our exercise. We tried to present our grievances in a democratic manner through the mediators. Shockingly, it seems the government is not serious about those demands. If anything unpleasant happens to the Italian hostage and the country earns disrepute for that at the international level, the Orissa government shall be responsible,” Mr Panda said.
There was no immediate reaction from the state government or from the two Maoist interlocutors — Mr B.D. Sharma and Mr Dandapani Mohanty — on the audiotape.
The Srikakulam-Koraput Divisional Committee (SKDC), which claimed responsibility for the MLA’s abduction, is yet to react to the CM’s offer to release 23 prisoners for securing Mr Hikaka’s freedom. Its leaders also remained silent on the remarks of the OSOC secretary.
Orissa chief secretary Bijay Patnaik, meanwhile, told reporters: “We have asked for the latest audio CD of Sabyasachi Panda. After examining the gravity of the content, we will take the next step.” The Italian national was taken hostage by the OSOC on March 14 while the MLA was kidnapped on March 24.
The Centre is also observing the hostage situation and is believed to be against any swap of prisoners. Sources in the home ministry said, “The MHA is not involved in any way with the negotiations between the Maoists and the Orissa government as the latter has not sought any help, but it is in regular touch with the state government. Ministry officials feel that due to the inability of the Orissa government to take a tough stand against the Naxals, the extremists keep abducting prominent people to free their cadresfrom jails.”
Meanwhile, Italian ambassador to India Giacomo Sanfelice Di Monteforte, who met chief minister Naveen Patnaik, on Friday met the chief secretary. “I’m happy with the efforts being made by the Orissa government for the liberty of Basusco Paolo. My discussion with the chief secretary was very fruitful. Hope the rebels will soon release him,” he said.