Naxal deadline ends today. How much will Odisha govt bend?

The deadline set by the Naxals for the release of arrested Maoists in exchange for the release of a kidnapped Italian tourist and legislator ends today but the Odisha government is still struggling to end the crisis and has “advised” the Maoist groups to seek bail for their arrested comrades.

It was double trouble for the Government as Odisha Police Association (OPA) and Odisha 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 securitymen.

The warning from the police came even as abductors of MLA Jhina Hikaka and Italian Paolo Bosusco set new demands.

A day after abductors of Hikaka demanded immediate swap with 30 freed prisoners, Home Secretary UN 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, Behera, who had led the three-member government side in talks with Maoist-named mediators for release of Bosusco, said tonight.

Referring to Maoists’ suggestion that the MLA’s wife should go to Balipeta village in Koraput district with the detainees of CMAS and CPI (Maoist) for hand over of Hikaka, Behera said “it is advised that steps be taken on behalf of the 23 detainees to file their bail petitions.”

Bail petitions in respect of those who are to be released from jail for Italian’s freedom may also be filed.

Asserting that the government has given commitment on release of prisoners for freedom of both the MLA and Italian, he said “we hope the captors will release the two hostages immediately, unharmed and in good health.”

On the abductors of Bosusco asking the government to clarify how many ultras it would free, the home secretary said it appears the contents  of the joint statement signed by the government representatives and Maoist mediators have not reached Sabyasachi Panda, Secretary of Odisha State Organising Committee of Maoists.

Maoist-named mediators BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty have been asked to send a copy of the joint statement to Panda so that any confusion that he has can be cleared and Paolo Bosusco be released, Behera said.

As the deadline set by both the groups for meeting their demands ends tomorrow, the state government sought opinion of the police on the release of hardcore Maoists, including Bhusanam, as sought by the abductors.

“We will oppose tooth and nail any move to free hardcore Maoists. If necessary, we will launch a vigorous agitation to prevent their release,” OPA President Sawarmal Sharma told reporters.

If the situation warrants, police personnel would be forced to pull out of anti-Maoist  operations, Sharma said, adding sacrifices made by police would go in vain and the force would be demoralised if hardcore ultras are freed.

Sending similar warning, Odisha Constable, Havildar and Sepoy Mahasangha said police personnel would boycott anti-Maoist operations if hardcore ultras are set free.

Meanwhile, the state government is weighing various options on any release of the ultras following demand by abductors of the MLA to release more prisoners.

“We have sought opinion of the police on whether the fresh demands made by abductors of the MLA can be met,” Chief Secretary BK Patnaik told reporters here, adding the legal aspects need to be verified before taking any decision.

With inputs from PTI