BHUBANESWAR: Setting conditions on the Maoists, the State Government on Tuesday announced that it will seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in suitable cases if the abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka is set free by the deadline, 5 pm on April 18.One of the Government mediators, Panchayatiraj Secretary Pradip Kumar Jena, told mediapersons that two persons __ out of the 25 prisoners whose release the Government has agreed to facilitate __ have been granted bail.The High Court allowed bail to Rupana Hulaka, while the fast track court of Jeypore granted bail to Argu Sirika.Similarly, bail has been granted to Rabi Tadingi, Nachika Suba and Wadeka Diba in one case each, he said.Jena said steps should be taken for moving bail petitions in respect of all the persons whose names have been declared by the Government in all the cases relating to them. In view of these developments, the Government would expect the abductors to release Hikaka immediately, unharmed, he said.Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said in New Delhi that Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik had talked to the kidnapped MLA and he was safe and in good health.The Government stuck to its stand to facilitate the release of 25 prisoners, 17 activists of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) and eight Maoists, for release of Hikaka. The Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI(Maoist) had demanded release of 29 prisoners unconditionally by 5 pm on Wednesday for setting free Hikaka at Balipeta in Narayanpatna block.Jena said no decision has been taken on the demand for the release of four other prisoners, which includes CMAS adviser Gananath Patro.In an audio tape released to the media on Tuesday, Aruna, on behalf of the AOBSZC, had asked the Government to make its stand clear about whether it is interested in getting the MLA released.She said if the Government is insisting on bail for the 29 prisoners, then let it take the necessary steps to expedite the process on their own instead of buying time.“If the Government makes an official announcement about steps being taken to free 29 prisoners by 5 pm today and if it is to our satisfaction, we will release the prisoner by 5 pm in the place at Balipeta as announced earlier,” the Maoist leader said.She warned that if the Government dithers on this issue, then it will be held responsible for the consequences.The State Government, on its part, released the list of 25 prisoners.
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