Hostage crisis deadlocked

BHUBANESWAR: The hostage crisis, involving BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka, is deadlocked with the State Government and the Maoists sticking to their guns.  The Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI (Maoist), which has taken the MLA hostage for nearly  a month, has demanded release of 29 prisoners, But, the State Government has reiterated its decision to facilitate release of 25 prisoners and withdrawal of prosecution against 13 of them. However, the crisis drags on as the activists of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) and members of the CPI (Maoist) are not coming forward to file bail petitions of jailed cadres as wanted by the State Government for the release of Hikaka. While five CMAS activists out of the 17, whose release the State Government had announced to facilitate, have got bails in different cases, the rest are yet to file their bail applications.  None of the eight members of the CPI (Maoist), whose release the State Government had announced to facilitate, has filed bail plea. Home Secretary UN Behera also clarified to mediapersons on Sunday that 12 CMAS activists and eight Maoists are yet to file their bail petitions. The Home Secretary said they should file bail petitions early so that their release can be facilitated. He said legal process is being followed regarding withdrawal of prosecution against the 13. The Maoists, however, have demanded unconditional release of 29 prisoners, including CMAS activists and Maoists, in exchange for Hikaka. The rebels also want all the cases against the 29 be withdrawn.  The Maoists’ demand for release of four other persons, including co-advisor of CMAS Gananath Patra, has virtually been rejected by the State Government. Sources said release of Patra was one of the main demands of the abductors. The Patra case had also been raised by the Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI (Maoist) which had abducted two Italian nationals in Kandhamal. In an audio tape, the CPI (Maoist) had said if the State Government is insisting on filing of bail applications for the prisoners these should be arranged by it. The Home Secretary, however, said as the process of filing of bail applications and withdrawal of prosecution against the 13 are in progress, the AOBSZC should release Hikaka immediately.