Odisha hostage crisis: Maoists deadline ends today

The Odisha government has yet to find out a way out to end the hostage crisis as the deadline set by Maoists to free 30 Naxal cadre in exchange of two hostages ends today.

The Odisha govt has yet to find out a way out to end the hostage crisis as the deadline set by Maoists to free 30 Naxal cadre in exchange of two hostages ends today.

The group, which kidnapped the Biju Janata Dal legislator Jhina Hikaka on March 24, has demanded the release of five more prisoners, including Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, a rebel leader facing charges of killing more than 50 security personnel.

The group has also said Hikaka's wife should come along with all the prisoners named by them to Balipeta village in Koraput district on Tuesday along with the two Maoist-backed mediators, Dandapani Mohanty and BD Sharma and a local lawyer, Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, to receive the legislator.

"There should be no involvement of police and intelligence wings in this process," Jagabandhu, a leader of the group, had said on Sunday.

Similarly, the group holding captive Italian tour operator Bosusco Paolo since March 14 has demanded the release of three more prisoners and asked the government to clarify its stand on their 13 demands.

Meanwhile, the Odisha police officers' association has objected to the release of any hard core Maoist.

Sabarmal Sharma, President of Odisha Police Association told reporters: "We will strongly oppose if the government released hardcore Maoists. If necessary we will stop working in Maoist affected areas."