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ODISHA HOSTAGE CRISIS |
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Hikaka’s release remains in the clouds a month after his abduction
Confusion looms large over the fate of the kidnapped BJD MLA, as Maoists refuse to budge
Bibhuti Pati
Malkangiri
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MLA Jinna Hikaka was abducted by Maoists on 24 March
Photo: AFP |
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The hostage crisis, involving BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka, continues to be in a deadlock with the state government and the Maoists sticking to each other’s guns. It’s been a month since the Laxmipur MLA was abducted by AOBZC Maoists group.
Sharp differences among Maoists have come to the fore with some demanding release of all members of rebel-backed CMAS from jail in return for release of Hikaka, while others have declared that the fate of Hikaka will be decided at a Praja court.
“We demand release of all members of CMAS who are in jail now. If the Odisha government is interested in freeing the MLA it must first release all of them,” Srikakulam-Koraput Committee (SKC) Maoists leader Daya said in a letter released to a section of the media.
In the meantime, the Maoists have started blaming the state as ‘responsible’ for delaying the release of Hikaka. Daya’s letter presented a contradictory stand as it came a day after the AOBZC spokesman Jagabandhu in an audio message said that the fate of the abducted MLA would be decided at a Praja court to be held on April 25.
“While Jagabandhu says something, Daya’s fresh letter is confusing. Daya is demanding release of all the CMAS members lodged in jails. We are not sure which is right,” said senior state government official. Police sources say, “Divergent views are being issued by different Maoists leaders making the situation worse.”
Daya has also accused the Odisha government of indirectly moving the Apex court through an ex-military officer to delay the process of release of rebels in exchange of the abducted Hikaka. Daya claimed that moving the Apex court was the state’s ploy.
Reliable sources say while SKC had actually abducted the MLA; the hostage was later handed over to AOBZC. SKC had been working in Narayanpatna-Bandhugaon blocks of Koraput districts while AOBZC is the higher set-up in the CPI Maoists’ organisation.
In the meantime, both Daya and Jagabandhu told Tehelka over phone that there are no divergent views and that from the beginning they have demanded the release of all CMAS leaders including Gananatha Patra and Arati Majhee along with other cadre prisoners.
After the new demands, it is clear that now CMAS leaders, especially Nachika, will play a major role in Hikaka’s release.
“Normalcy is yet to return to Narayanpatna even as the two-day Maoists-called bandh ended Saturday. Big trees and boulders are still lying on Laxmipur-Narayanpatna, Narayanpatna-Bandhugaoun and Narayanpatna-Podapadar routes,” Subhash Panda, a local journalist, said.
Panda further added, “Prices of essential commodities in local markets have sky-rocketed following snapping of communication system by the rebels. The locals depend on the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for most of its food items. Even as the impact of the two-day bandh by Maoists has thrown life out of gear, announcement by ultras to observe martyrs’ week (Shahid Saptaha) beginning April 24th of this month has added to the confusion. Observers maintained that as rebels’ threat is looming large over the region, normalcy will be hampered over a week in view of the week long Shahid Saptaha.”
During such events in the past, Maoists/Naxals have paid obeisance to departed rebels and given gun salutes at their memorials. This time around though, locals allege that they are in panic and cannot think of venturing out fearing backlash by ultras.
“Though such uneasy times are not unfamiliar to people in these tribal dominated areas, abduction of Hikaka has made the situation tense. With the state showing no signs of relenting to the demands of the ultras, the rebels have decided to keep things on the boil,” a local youth said.
While there had been demand from different quarters including Maoist abductors of Hikaka, the state has shown no willingness to release octogenarian Gananatha Patra who is now in Koraput jail, as the veteran CPI (ML) leader is seen by the government as the brain behind the tribal unrest in Narayanpatna.
Though the state had agreed to hold talks with Nachika Linga, the leader of CMAS, it is wary of releasing Patra. “The state is examining the Maoists’ demand of releasing four others, including Patra,” Home Secretary UN Behera said.
The government had so far agreed to free 17 members of CMAS and five Maoists. But it was not ready to release Patra who had since been acquitted in four cases while two other cases are under trial. “We pose a threat to the status quo the ruling class wants to maintain and the bench wants us to be branded as Maoists,” Patra told Tehelka from prison.
However, the hope for the release of abducted ruling BJD MLA anytime soon seems to be diminishing. The Maoists have declared that Hikaka will be tried in the Praja court on the 25th of this month and his fate will be decided there.
Earlier, the rebels had demanded the release of 29 prisoners of CPI Maoist and its frontal organisation CMAS languishing in several jails of the state in exchange of the tribal legislator. Till now the government has lifted cases against 13 prisoners and the process is on to clear others of all the charges levelled against them.
Maoist leader Daya had released six letters to the media enlisting a number of demands including immediate discontinuation of Operation Green Hunt. He also demanded that the livelihood security of the tribal people must be ensured and Forest Rights Act must be implemented to give full rights to them.
It may be recalled that Hikaka was abducted near Toyaput in Laxmipur on 23 March night. The rebels had scattered posters and banners on the spot where Hikaka was abducted. The posters stated that Srikakulum-Koraput Divisional Committee was responsible for the Act.
The state has thought that the rebels will also free the legislator as they had done in the case of the Italian nationals. However, that seems to be a far cry now. They have stuck to their demands and have warned that the state will remain responsible for the consequences if the demands are not met.
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