[1]BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka on Monday completed a month in captivity of Maoists even as all including Odisha government were anxiously waiting for the 'praja (people's) court' proposed by the naxals to decide the fate of the tribal legislator by April 25.
The Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of CPI (Maoist) has announced that the MLA's fate would be decided by a peoples' court by April 25, but there is no information about its exact time and venue.
Reports from the Maoist camp indicated that the court could be held somewhere in the naxal-infested Narayanpatna in Koraput district as both the abductors and the state government stick to their stands over the hostage crisis of the MLA who was kidnapped in the wee hours of March 24.
Though the 37-year-old first time MLA was abducted by AOBSZC, his fate remained uncertain with Maoist leaders speaking in different voices regarding their demands and the manner in which Hikaka should be freed.
The AOBSZC stuck to their demand for release of 29 rebels in exchange for the MLA's freedom, while the Odisha government was ready to facilitate release of 25 prisoners.
Stating that the state government had decided to facilitate the release of 25 prisoners -- eight Maoists and 17 members of Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) -- Home Secretary U.N. Behera said some rebels had already been granted bail while the process was on for some others.
"There are some who are yet to move bail petitions in the court though the state government is ready to facilitate their release from jails", he said.
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