Dandapani smells sabotage of pact

BHUBANESWAR:The Maoist-selected mediator Dandapani Mohanty on Sunday alleged that a section of politicians and police are out to sabotage the 14-point agreement reached between the Maoists and the State Government for the release of abducted IAS officer R Vineel Krishna.Addressing mediapersons here, Mohanty said from the very beginning of talks and agreement on 14 points, a section of politicians and police officials was not mentally prepared to digest it. He said the police officials conducted combing operations and asked the State and the Centre to provide more Central forces to tackle the regrouping of Maoists across the border in Chhattisgarh.The mediator alleged that the State Government was resorting to propaganda to violate the agreement by saying that the Maoists in Orissa are a big law and order issue. He said even though the State Government had announced that tribals languishing in different jails would be released by June 30, so far only five have been set free. Over 800 tribals are languishing in State jails, he said.Mohanty alleged that the State Government had violated the agreement by conducting combing operations and arresting tribal people. He gave an example of two encounter killings in Khaprakhol block of Balangir district recently.He said police arrested innocent tribals on July 5 after a blast in Daringibadi of Kandhamal district resulted in minor injuries to two jawans.Referring to the 14-point agreement, Mohanty said the death of two tribals Gangulu Tadangi and Ratan Sirika_ was an issue. He said the State Government has not paid any compensation despite court orders. Besides, another person Sitanna Hikaka has also not been produced as agreed, he said.Mohanty appealed to all democratic organisations, individuals and civil society members to conduct an impartial probe into these points.However, the recent spurt in Maoist violence has been condemned by politicians cutting across party lines. They have alleged that the situation has deteriorated to such an extent because the State Government had not taken police into confidence while negotiating the release of Krishna. Many senior police officials maintain that they are not aware of any agreement between the mediators and the State Government.