[1]Early release of ruling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka in Odisha looked remote today as Maoists decided to keep the tribal legislator hostage till April 25 and announcing another people's court to decide his fate.
In an audio message to the media, a leader of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of CPI (Maoist) said the final verdict of the praja court on the fate of Laxmipur MLA would be communicated by April 25.
The ultras also rejected Odisha government's offer to withdraw cases against 13 prisoners, including five Maoists, and facilitate release of 12 others through bail in order to secure freedom of 37-year-old Hikaka, who had been abducted on March 24 in Koraput district.
Though some of the 12 prisoners proposed to be freed on bail had already been granted bail, the Maoists stuck to their demand for release of 29 rebels asking the government to withdraw charges against them.
Sources said the red rebels decided to hold another praja court as the one conducted on Thursday failed to take a final view about the MLA despite the state government's decision to withdraw cases against ultras which had raised hope about early release of Hikaka.
Negating all expectations, the Maoists have called a two-day bandh since yesterday and blocked roads in their stronghold of Narayanpatna area in Koraput district demanding withdrawal of security forces, halt in operation Green Hunt and release of jailed ultras.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/jhinahikaka-ians6jpgcropdisplayjpg-819