BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka abducted by Naxals in Odisha

New Delhi: In an another hostage crisis in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka was abducted by Naxals on Friday night in Koraput district. Koraput SP confirmed that the BJD MLA was picked up by the Naxals while he was on his way home. Hikaka was travelling with his driver and personal assistant, who were let off by the Naxals. The BJD MLA's driver said that the abductors identified themselves as Naxals. In posters put up by the Naxals after the MLA was abducted, they have demanded an end to 'Operation Green Hunt'.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has called for a high level emergency meeting. This is for the first time an MLA has been abducted in Odisha. Meanwhile, sources in the Home Ministry say that it had issued an alert to the Odisha government warning of politicians being targeted.

Avinash Kumar, SP, Koraput, "No confirmation on who were the people who have taken away the MLA and what do they want. We only know that some people took away the MLA from near Koraput. We don't know who the people were and what are their demands."

The driver of the BJD MLA said, "The abductors identified themselves as Naxals."

A tribal MLA of the ruling BJD in Odisha was abducted by Naxals in Koraput district, police said.

Jhina Hikaka, legislator from Laxmipur, was returning home from Koraput when more than 50 armed rebels stopped his vehicle near Toyaput, Koraput Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said.

While the personal security officer (PSO) and driver of the MLA were allowed to leave, Hikaka was taken away into the nearby forest, about 40 km from Koraput by the ultras at gunpoint, he said.

The PSO and driver informed the Laxmipur police station about the incident, the Kumar said, adding steps have been initiated to ascertain the whereabouts of the legislator.

The abduction came 10 days after the Naxals took two Italians hostage from Kandhamal district on March 14 and talks were in progress between rebel nominated negotiators and government representatives to resolve the crisis.

The incident happened hours after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the rebels to desist from violence.

Meanwhile, Maoist negotiators engaged to end the Italian hostage crisis - BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty - have appealed to the Maoists to release the legislator without delay.

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