Odisha bows to rebels’ demands; will free 13 for one legislator

The Odisha (Orissa) government today caved in to the demand of Naxalite terrorists to withdraw cases against 13 prisoners from its cadres in return for captured state legislator Jhina Hikaka of the Bharat Janata Dal (BJD).

"It has been decided to take steps for withdrawal of prosecution against 13 persons following the due process of law," state home secretary U N Behera told reporters shortly after the 5pm deadline set by the extremists expired. They had otherwise threatened to kill the Legislative Assembly member (MLA).

A little earlier, a leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) sent a message to the media saying it had no faith in the state government and the fate of the 37-year-old MLA from Laxmipur would be decided by a 'people's court'.

The message said the deadline had been extended four times in the past and there would be no further extension.

The ultras had dropped the name of Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, accused in the killing of 55 policemen, from the list of rebels sought to be freed in exchange for the legislator who was kidnapped on 24 March from Koraput district in the state.

They demanded that the MLA's wife Kaushalya, a lawyer, accompany the freed rebels to Balipeta to Narayanpatna area in Koraput district for a hostage-prisoner exchange.