With the deadline set by the Maoists holding BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka hostage ending today, his fate still remained unknown despite the Odisha government's decision to seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in "suitable cases" involving jailed rebels if the ultras free the legislator.

There has been no response so far from the CPI (Maoist)'s Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee, which abducted the 37-year-old tribal MLA from Laxmipur on March 24, after the state government announced its decision last evening.

The state government was, however, hopeful that the MLA would be set free by the Maoists in view of the steps taken by it for the release of prisoners on bail and its promise to consider withdrawal of prosecution.

Fresh appeals were, in the meantime, made from various quarters including the government and family members of the MLA for his immediate release unharmed and in good health before the deadline this evening.

The announcement came hours after the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) in a message yesterday pressed the state government to make its stand clear on the release of jailed rebels sought by it in exchange for the freedom of the MLA.

"If release of the tribal MLA takes place by 5 pm, the deadline set by the Maoists, the government will seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in suitable cases," Panchayati Raj Secretary P K Jena told reporters.

"The government has already declared that it would facilitate release of 25 persons including 17 members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha and eight of the CPI (Maoist)," said Jena, one of the three state government representatives, who negotiated with Maoist mediators in resolving the Italian hostage crisis.

For the sake of clarity, the senior officer once again announced the names of 25 persons to be freed from jails and said the bail process for the prisoners had also gained momentum.

In a positive development, Hikaka spoke to Chief Secretary B K Patnaik and Koraput district Collector J S Ramachandra yesterday and informed them that he was in good health.

With the deadline for release of abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka coming to an end at 5 PM today, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appealed to the Maoists to release him "immediately".

"I appeal to the Maoists who are holding this young MLA to release him safe...release him immediately in good health and unharmed," Patnaik told reporters here.

He reiterated that the state government has already initiated the process for facilitating the bail for some of the detainees that the Maoists have demanded amongst the people that have announced, he said.

The Chief Minister, who visited his family recently in Koraput, said said the family members as well as the government was "very distressed" and anxious about the MLA.

Patnaik's appeal comes even as the state government had yesterday said that if the release of the tribal MLA takes place by 5 PM today, the Government will seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in suitable cases.

Patnaik said that Hikaka has spoken to Chief Secretary B K Patnaik and Koraput district Collector J S Ramachandra yesterday and informed them that he was in good health.

There was also a telephonic conversation between ruling BJD MP from Koraput, Jayaram Pangi and Hikaka.