After 30 days in captivity, MLA Hikaka's fate remains uncertain

Bhubaneswar: BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka today 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 25 April. 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 25 April, but there is no information about its exact time and venue. [caption id=“attachment_285565” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“AFP”]  [/caption] 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 24 March. 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 UN 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. Ahead of the proposed praja court, several tribal MLAs met SC-ST Development Minister LB Himirika and voiced concern over Hikaka’s safety in captivity of the Maoists. They sought to know the steps being taken by the state government to secure the MLA’s release. The minister, while sharing the feelings of the legislators, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was personally monitoring the situation and doing the needful for the release of Hikaka unharmed and in good health. Meanwhile, sharp differences among Maoists have come to the fore over the demands for release of Hikaka. While AOBSZC sought release of 29 rebels, Srikakulam-Koraput Committee of the CPI (Maoist) leader Daya demanded release of all CMAS members from jail. “We are not sure who is right”, government sources said, adding, there was no mention of ‘praja court’ in the letter purportedly released by Daya, who is considered much junior to Jagabandhu in the hierarchy of the Maoists. PTI