Maoist-backed org lays down demands for talks

Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh chief wants cases against him withdrawn

PTI | April 2, 2012



Three days after the Odisha government invited it for talks for release of abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka, Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh on Monday said it was willing to do so if certain conditions were fulfilled.

Listing the conditions for participating in the talks for Hikaka's release, outfit President Nachika Linga Linga, on the run since 2009, said in a statement to the media that all cases against him would have to be withdrawn, all jailed CMAS members released and anti-Maoist operations halted.

Alleging that many CMAS members were in Koraput jail on 'false charges' for a very long time, Linga, said if the conditions were fulfilled the Sangh would mediate for the release of 37-year-old Laxmipur MLA Hikaka, who was abducted on March 24.

After fulfilment of its demands, the CMAS would discuss the matter with tribal groups like Niyamgiri Surakshya Parishad, Mali Parbat Surakshya Parishad, Noka Dora and Konda Reddy before talks with government, he said.

The state government was yet to respond to Linga's conditions.

"We have taken note of the statement by the CMAS leader to the media. It is being examined," a senior official said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had invited the CMAS after Maoist-nominated mediators, B D Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, who took part in inconclusive talks for 10 days for the release of Bosusco, left on Saturday saying they were leaving as the government required more time.

Meanwhile, back channel efforts were underway by the state government to free Italian Puri-based tour operator, Paolo Bosusco, official sources said.

While Italian tourist Claudio Colangelo was released on March 25 as a 'goodwill gesture', Bosusco was still in the captivity of Maoists. They were kidnapped on March 14 while trekking in Kandhamal district.

A government official said as the Maoists have demanded release of about 40 jailed rebels, it would take some time to form a view on the issue after thorough examination.

"We are examining how the process can be initiated," he said.

Another government official said the Maoists should honour the appeal made by Sharma and Mohanty for the release of Bosusco on humanitarian considerations.

While Koraput-Srikalulam Division of Maoists, which owned responsibility for abduction of the MLA, have refused talks through mediators, CMAS had earlier claimed that it had no role in the kidnapping of the legislator.

Comments

 

Other News

A right she cannot reach

Last summer, the two of us spent several weeks in rural Madhya Pradesh with a non-profit that works on gender justice through women’s self-help groups. We went in with a notebook full of laws. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The Dowry Prohibition Act. Free legal aid for every wo

Tier-2 cities lead India’s digital credit push

Digital payments have become a reflex for urban India, but the confidence earned in paying has not yet carried over to borrowing. That is the central finding of `How Urban India Pays Report 2026`, released by Pahlé India Foundation in collaboration with Amazon Pay. Based on a survey of 5,149 consu

India calls for doubling bilateral trade with UK by 2030

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal has called upon businesses in India and the United Kingdom to translate the opportunities created by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) into expanded trade, investment, partnerships and job creation. Addressing the Bu

Gandhian movement after Gandhi failed: Ram Guha

The Gandhian movement in India, after Gandhi’s death, failed, says Ramachandra Guha, and blames Vinoba Bhave for it. But the movement found new, fertile grounds around the world and succeeded in bringing about a change in South Africa, the US and elsewhere. It is high time it returned home. Of cour

When religion, politics and Bollywood come together

Tavleen Singh, noted journalist and political commentator, has turned to fiction, with her debut novel ‘The Actor’ (HaperCollins India). Set in the near future, it has a superstar, Amit Singh, turning to politics, when the political landscape is dominated by prime minister Guru Gaynendraj

Cabinet approves setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority

The union cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), called Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), to strengthen research, planning, appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment within the broad domains of Transp

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter