Bhubaneswar, April 20: Freedom continues to elude BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka with his Maoist captors yet to take a final call on the law-maker’s fate.

The rebels today released a fresh audio tape, stating that a praja (people’s) court would try the law-maker and its verdict would be made known to the media by April 25.

The audio message from CPI(Maoist) Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zone member Aruna, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of her leader, Jagbandhu, has added to the frustration of the government, which, in a conciliatory move, yesterday had announced to consider cases against 13 rebels and Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh members for withdrawal.

The message from Aruna appeared to mock the government. “When the government is taking so much time to take decision, we will also take our own time to convene the people’s court,” it said, adding that the MLA, who was abducted on March 24, was safe.

Significantly, the latest audio message comes in the wake of reports that the 38-year-old legislator was subjected to intensive grilling by the rebels and their tribal supporters at an undisclosed destination in the Narayanpatna area of Koraput district.

The state government as well as the family members of Hikaka, who represents the tribal-dominated Laxmipur constituency, had harboured hopes of his release yesterday and waited till late in the night for him to return home. A strong media contingent, too, waited for the MLA at Balipeta village under Narayanpatna block, but he did not turn up.

Officials here admitted to the growing frustration within the government over the issue, but said efforts for Hikaka’s release would continue. Home secretary U.N. Behera said: “The state government is taking steps to release 25 people, whose freedom the Maoists have sought. Steps are also being taken to withdraw cases against 13 people as mentioned earlier.” The government is examining the latest audio tape.

In another development, the Maoists today began a two-day Narayanpatna shutdown, demanding immediate halt to the Operation Greenhunt, release of all political prisoners in Malkangiri and Koraput districts and shifting of the police camps from these areas.

The Maoists disrupted transport services at Narayanpatna by felling trees on roads.

The shutdown coincided with the torching of six vehicles belonging to a contractor, who was constructing a road.

In yet another development, a local court in Gajpati district today rejected Maoist leader Arati Majhi’s bail petition. Yesterday, the court turned down her bail in another case.