Bhubaneswar, Feb 23 (PTI): After a seven day ordeal, junior engineer Pabitra Majhi was freed today by Maoists while the process was underway for the release of abducted Malkangiri district collector as modalities were discussed between Naxal chosen mediators and the Orissa government to implement their demands.

"Majhi was taken by local villagers on a motor-cycle to Chitrakonda after being released by the Maoists in a remote forest in Malkangiri," Chitrakonda Tehsildar D Gopal Krishna said over phone.

"The junior engineer is fine though he seems to be tired," officials said, adding, doctors were examining him.

Soon after his arrival at Chitrakonda, he was taken to the Tehsil office where Government officials met him, they said.

Huge crowds gathered at the Tehsil office to have a glimpse of the freed engineer. Majhi was later shifted to a guest house of Balimela Dam Project, sources said.

However, there was no clear information on the whereabouts of Collector Krishna, who was also kidnapped along with Majhi on February 16, he said. Government sources said the 2005 batch IAS officer is expected to return soon without elaborating.