Odisha state legislator freed after 33 days in Maoist captivity

Bhubaneswar (Odisha, India), Apr 26 (PTI) Odisha state legislator Jhina Hikaka was today released unharmed by ultra left Maoists at a village in Koraput district in the southeast Indian state, 33 days after he was abducted from the same district by the rebels. Clad in a light green kurta and pajama, Hikaka was escorted by a group of tribals to Balipeta village in Maoist-affected Narayanpatna area, where he was believed to have been produced in a Maoist 'praja' (people's) court which agreed to set him free. The ruling Biju Janta Dal legislator was handed over by the tribals to his wife, Kaushalya Majhi, and a lawyer who fights cases for the ultras and their front organisations, Nihar Ranjan Patnaik. "I am thankful to the tribals and the media for their support. I was very anxious to see him," a relieved and delighted Kaushalya said immediately after meeting her husband. The release was officially confirmed here by Odisha Home Secretary U N Behera who said, "The MLA has been freed by the Maoists." According to the Maoist Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee which had held him captive and produced him before a 'praja' court, Hikaka has given a written undertaking that he would resign from the state Assembly and from the BJD and work for the people. Looking cheerful and smiling after his gruelling ordeal, Hikaka said, "I am free now. I am in good health. "I was treated quite well and not tortured, " he said shaking hands with the lawyer. The Maoists had refused to hold talks with the state government on their demands through mediators. They had extended the deadline for release of 29 prisoners unconditionally four times for the release of Hikaka. When the government failed to fully agree to the terms set by the ultras, they announced that Hikaka, who was kidnapped on March 24 when he was returning home to Laxmipur from Koraput town, would be tried in a 'praja' court. Another Maoist group, the Odisha State Organising Committee had kidnapped two Italian nationals Claudio Colangelo and Paolo Bosusco on March 14 in Kandhamal district. Colangelo was released on March 25 and Bosusco on April 12. PTI Caption for pic BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka after being freed by Maoists at Koraput on Thursday. PTI Photo