As the hostage crisis in Orissa escalates, the Union home ministry has advised the state government not to rush into a swap deal with the Maoists but weigh the pros and cons of such a decision as the insurgents are stepping up their demands everytime.
The Naxals have demanded the release of hardcore Naxal Chenda Bhusanam, alias Ghasi, an accused in the killing of at least 55 security personnel, besides others. The security establishment is worried that the release of Maoist leaders from jails to get the release of ruling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka and Italian Paolo Bosusco, could set a bad precedent as this would embolden the Maoists to repeat similar acts in other states.
Government officials are of the view that it may also not be an easy task for the Orissa government to facilitate the release of Maoist prisoners as many face multiple charges and the judicial process needs to be followed.
Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who had raised a red flag to the setting up of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, seems to find himself in a spot after the Maoist crisis has erupted in the state. The worsening Maoist situation in Orissa is expected to dominate the discussions on Left-wing extremism during the forthcoming chief ministers’ conference on internal security on April 16.
While Mr Patnaik is leading the charge against the MHA on the NCTC saying it would hurt the federal structure, the home ministry is expected to point out that despite the Centre’s full cooperation with states in tackling Left-wing extremism, some states are lagging behind in efforts.
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Orissa govt faces police boycott
Bhubaneswar, April 9: Struggling to end the twin hostage crisis, Orissa government tonight “advised” the two Maoist groups to move bail pleas for quick release of detenus sought for but faced the threat of its police force boycotting anti-Naxal operations over release of any hardcore ultras.
It was double trouble for the government as Orissa Police Association (OPA) and Orissa Constable, Havildar and Sepoy Manasangh warned that they would pull out of duties in the red zone opposing “tooth and nail” any move to set free hardcore Maoists like Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, accused in killing of at least 55 security men.
The warning came even as abductors of MLA Jhina Hikaka and Italian Paolo Bosusco set new demands.
A day after abductors of Mr Hikaka demanded immediate swap with 30 freed prisoners, home secretary U.N. Behera told reporters the government has agreed to facilitate the release of 23 persons, including 15 members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS), in exchange for the MLA’s freedom.
Since their release from jail involves judicial process of grant of bail by concerned courts, the detainees have to file their bail applications, Mr Behera, who had led the three-member government side in talks with Maoist-named mediators for release of Bosusco, said on Monday. — PTI