BHUBANESWAR: The Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI (Maoist) has said that MLA Jhina Hikaka who was released on Thursday will be kept under observation. In a press note on behalf of the AOBSZC, Maoist leader Jagabandhu said that since Hikaka is part of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, he was held partly responsible for Green Hunt. So the court said that if Hikaka wants to lead a family life, he should quit Assembly membership, resign from BJD and work for the cause of tribals and lead a life of common man. In the undertaking given by Hikaka in the praja court, the MLA is reported to have agreed to resign from the membership of the Assembly and snap all ties with the BJD. In a statement signed by him, Hikaka admitted that he had failed to solve any problem of Narayanpatna area during the last three years. He has said that the demands of the Maoists have not been met nor there is any such possibility even after more than one month of his kidnapping. He alleged that this is so because he is a tribal. “I agreed to resign to pave the way for my release,” he said. Hikaka said that he will quit politics as the State Government did not take any step for his release and failed to protect him. The Maoist leader said that Praja Court was held on April 23 and 24 in the presence of 150 people from nine panchayats in Narayanapatna block. They included PLGA representatives and 30 women. Jhina Hikaka’s works and omissions were discussed thoroughly. Hikaka was also given an opportunity to explain his doings. The verdict was passed after taking into consideration all factors, he said. Jagabandhu alleged that non-tribals entered the forests and invaded the tribal areas in the name of business. The Maoist leader said they made the tribals slaves in their own land. The looters slowly inculcated the boozing habit among the tribals, he said and added liquor was made available freely and at times it flowed like drain water in tribal areas. Criticising the State Government for not implementing the 14-point agreement after the kidnapping of the then Malkangiri collector last year, Jagabandhu alleged that instead Green Hunt was started to suppress the ‘people’s representatives’. So Hikaka was kidnapped and the Maoists demanded release of all the jailed innocent tribals and stop to Operation Green Hunt, he said. Hikaka agreed to all the above mentioned conditions and said he would go by the praja court verdict in all humility. Hikaka also agreed to quit public life and lead a life of a common man. Keeping faith in Hikaka’s declaration, the court decided to release him safely and unharmed, Jagabandhu said.
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