Maoists produce MLA in 'praja court'

BHUBANESWAR/KORAPUT: The Odisha government on Thursday indicated possible release of abducted BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka by the Maoists anytime. "We hope to get some positive response from them (Maoists) today (Thursday)," state home secretary Upendra Behera told media persons in Bhubaneswar.

The government's hope reportedly stemmed from reports reaching the state capital that the Maoists began their much-hyped "praja court" (people's court) in the morning to decide whether or not to release Hikaka. Sources said the court was held at a place about 2 km from Balipeta in Koraput district's Narayanpatna area.

Family members of incarcerated Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) activists also participated in the "praja court", sources added.

They said the Maoists had all but decided to leave Hikaka, but they were waiting for CMAS leader Nachika Linga to reach there. Linga was reportedly not interested to be part of the Maoist praja court because he had earlier denied having any links either with the extremists or kidnapping of the MLA.

Linga had also announced that none of the CMAS prisoners would move bail and wanted the government to withdraw cases against them on its own. Linga himself has several cases pending against him and the police are searching for him with a non-bailable warrant. The CMAS leader was hopeful of simultaneously getting relief if the government withdraws cases against all the prisoners belonging to his organization. But the 13 names the state government announced on Wednesday against whom cases would be withdrawn in exchange of freedom for the MLA did not have Linga's name.

Also a big omission in the list was of Gananath Patra, adviser of CMAS, who is now in jail. This has fuelled speculation that the Maoists keeping in mind CMAS leaders' feeling might delay Hikaka's release by a few days by which time they could try to arm twist the government further to withdraw more cases.

"Patra was in the top of the list whose release was sought by the Maoists in exchange of the MLA. And now his name is missing from the list it may pose problem for early release of the MLA," a source said. "The abduction of the MLA is a good opportunity for the CMAS to pressurize the government to meet some of its serious demands. The CMAS may not get such an opportunity in future to coerce the government to withdraw cases against Linga. So, the Sangh may try to convince the Maoists not to free the legislator unless their demands are meet," the source added.
Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Maoists-produce-MLA-in-praja-court/articleshow/12741101.cms