With the Maoists pressing the government to spell out its stand on release of jailed rebels, Odisha Government on Tuesday announced its decision to seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in "suitable cases" if abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka is freed by 5 pm on Wednesday and said two of the 25 prisoners have already been granted bail.
"If release of the tribal MLA takes place by 5 pm tomorrow, the government will seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in suitable cases," Panchayatiraj Secretary P K Jena told reporters.
The statement came hours after Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) in a message asked the government to make its stand clear on the release of 29 people to secure freedom for the 37-year-old Laxmipur MLA.
"The government has already declared that it would facilitate release of 25 persons including 17 members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS and eight of CPI (Maoist)," said Jena, one of the three state government representatives who negotiated with Maoist mediators in Italian hostage crisis.
For the sake of clarity the government again released the names of 25 persons to be freed from jails, he said.
Meanwhile, in a positive development Hikaka today spoke to Chief Secretary B K Patnaik and Koraput district Collector J S Ramachandra and informed them that he was in good health, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in New Delhi.
There was also a telephonic conversation between Ruling BJD MP from Koraput, Jayaram Pangi and Hikaka.
In another development, two persons whom the Maoists want to free, have been granted bail, Jena said adding Odisha High Court has allowed bail to Rupana Hulaka while a fast track court of Jeypore granted bail to Argu Sirika.
Similarly, bail had been granted to three persons in one case each, he said.
Therefore, steps should be taken for moving bail petition in respect of all the persons whose names have been declared in all the cases relating to them, Jena said.
Having made its stand known, the state government was now waiting for a response from the Maoists, who had abducted Hikaka on March 24 and have been insisting on complete withdrawal of cases against rebels whose release had been demanded.
In view of the steps taken by the government and bails already granted to some prisoners, the abductors should release Hikaka immediately, unharmed, Jena said.
However, uncertainty persisted over the release of the BJD legislator as members of both CMAS and CPI (Maoist) still continued to be rigid in their demand for withdrawal of charges slapped against them instead of opting for bail route.
"I doubt if the Maoists and CMAS members will accept the proposal of the state government. They have been very particular about withdrawal of cases," said Koraput-based lawyer Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, who pleads cases for the rebels.
Meanwhile, CMAS co-advisor Dandapani Mohanty visited Laxmipur and met Hikaka's wife Kaushalaya Majhi.
"I doubt if the Maoists and CMAS members will accept the proposal of the state government. They have been very particular about withdrawal of cases," said Koraput-based lawyer Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, who pleads cases for the rebels.
Meanwhile, CMAS co-advisor Dandapani Mohanty visited Laxmipur and met Hikaka's wife Kaushalaya Majhi.
"I met the MLA's wife and informed her that Hikaka is in good health. I also advised her to put pressure on the government for withdrawal of cases against prisoners as demanded by the abductors," he said.
In today's message to the media, the AOBSZC said the state government must make its stand clear by 5 PM whether it was interested in getting the MLA freed.
"If the state government makes an official announcement about steps being taken to free 29 prisoners by 5 PM today and if it is to our satisfaction, the MLA would be released by the deadline of 5 PM tomorrow," the message said.
If the government was insisting on bail route for release of the jailed rebels, it should take steps to expedite the process instead of buying time, it said.
"If the state government dithers on this issue, it will be held responsible for the consequences," the message said adding that the MLA is safe as of now.
After the state government's statement, Nihar Patnaik said, "I expect the abductors to respond soon."
The abductors had fixed 5 PM tomorrow as deadline for fulfilment of their demands while dropping the name of Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, accused of killing 55 policemen, from the list of rebels sought to be freed.
