Maoists likely to release abducted Malkangiri collector, engineer in next 48 hours

BHUBANESHWAR - Malkangiri District Collector R Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Mohan Majhi are likely to be released by Maoists in the next 48 hours, after Orissa Government conceded to the 14 demands put forward by the rebels.

The Maoists had kidnapped the two government officials on February 16 near Jantapi village in Malkangiri, and had given the state government a list of 14 demands, which had to be fulfilled in exchange for the two men.

The demands included release of all the prisoners listed by the Maoists, halting anti Maoist operations by security forces, stopping of ‘Operation Green Hunt’ in the state, compensation for the families of Maoist sympathizers killed in police custody, among others.

Addressing the media persons on Tuesday, Orissa Home Secretary, U N Behera said: “All the 14 demands raised have been resolved and the mediators have assured us that the Collector R Vineel Krishna and junior engineer, Pabitra Majhi will be back soon. I thank the mediators for helping us out in resolving this crisis.”

Prof. G Haragopal, who acted as a mediator for the release of the abducted government officials, said: “We express our appreciation of the conscience of the Maoists for the tribals of Orissa, of course they are concerned everywhere but we are talking of the Maoists of this state. The tribals release was of utmost concern for them.”

“We trust that the withdrawal of the cases on tribals on a priority basis will be taken up in 15 days to three months but in 15 days the process will start. We hope the tribals will get relief and will be back in their habitats,” he added.

Krishna and Majhi were expected to reach Malkangiri late on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, somewhere near Balimela reservoir anidst a gathering of administrative officials, well wishers and local people. (ANI)