Withdrawal of prosecution against 13

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Tuesday announced that withdrawal of prosecution against 13 persons, as promised by it for the release of Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka from the Maoist captivity, is under process.The 13 persons are Argu Sirika, Rupana Huluka, Dora Hantal, Dhana Hantal, Wadeka Diba, Nachika Suba, Rabi Tadingi, Huluka Keshab, Setu Pangi, Murla Neelam Reddy, Deba Madhi, Ganga Sodi and Bhima Padiami, Principal Secretary in the Home Department UN Behera told mediapersons here.Stating that the State Government is taking all steps to honour the commitments made for the release of the two Italian nationals and the Laxmipur MLA, Behera said it had agreed to facilitate the release of four persons in exchange of the Italian tourists’ release. They are Subhashree Das, wife of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, Arati Majhi, Suka Nachika and Chakra Tadingi. Subhashree has been acquitted by the court in a case and has come out of jail, he said.The Home Secretary said bail has been granted to Arati Majhi in two cases and rejected in three cases in the sessions court. She can approach the High Court in these cases. Behera said the bail petitions of Suka Nachika and Chakra Tadingi have been rejected in the lower court. They can also approach the next higher forum.Criticising the State Government for what he said not keeping its word, Maoist- appointed mediator Dandapani Mohanty had alleged that the bail applications of Arati and Suka were rejected because they were opposed by the Government pleaders.Behera, however, said out of the 23 persons, related to release of Hikaka, bail has been granted in seven cases. While four of them __ Roopana Huluka, Argu Sirika, Dhana Hantal and Dora Hantal __ have produced their bailers and they have been released, the remaining three __ Wadeka Diba, Nachika Suba and Rabi Tadingi __ will be released on production of bailers, he said.The Home Secretary said bail has been rejected in eight cases by the lower court. The cases involve Rupuni Sirika, Ina Tadingi, Ramesh Nachika, Bijay Tadingi, Mangaraj Darua, Deba Madhi, Ganga Sodi and Bhima Padiami. Behera said those, whose bail applications have been rejected, can  appeal in the higher court.The remaining eight are yet to file their bail petitions. They are Miniaka Sandal, Miniaka Jama, Saura Kartasiya, Huluka Keshab, Narsi Kendruka, Joruka Kendruka, Murla Neelam Reddy and Setu Pangi. Behera said their release will be facilitated on filing of their bail petitions.