Bhubaneswar, May 18: The state government is taking measures to ensure that Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka moves from his home district, Koraput, to settle down with his family in the state capital to nix the high threat perception against him.

The decision to rehabilitate the MLA, whose kidnapping by the Maoists in March triggered a political storm, gained momentum after Hikaka met chief minister Naveen Patnaik for the second time on May 14 and expressed anxiety about his security.

Things have gone a step further with Hikaka’s wife Kaushalya Majhi, a sikshya sahayak (para teacher), being transferred from Laxmipur to the Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) head office yesterday.

Additional secretary, school and mass education department, Iswar Chandra Barada said: “The department has transferred Mrs Majhi and deployed her in the OPEPA. However, she will draw her salary from Koraput district.”

The chief minister’s office has also intervened in the matter of schooling Hikaka’s two children. “We have requested one of the English medium schools to enrol the two kids,” said an official here. The school authorities also confirmed that they had received a request from the government to enrol the two boys.

Speculation is rife that Hikaka would be included in the ministry when the next rejig takes place.

However, the MLA pleaded ignorance about any such move being afoot.

Steps are being taken to move him from his present government accommodation in the MLA Colony to a plush bungalow at Unit-I here.

Fisheries and animal husbandry minister Ramesh Majhi said: “It will be easy to provide security to Hikaka in the state capital.”

On May 14, Hikaka had called on the chief minister at Naveen Nivas here. After meeting Naveen, Hikaka had said he would continue to serve the people but was still depressed and needed more time to relax.

“The decision regarding the resignation will be decided by the chief minister,” Hikaka had said.

Looking relaxed, Hikaka’s wife and children today visited the Nandankanan zoo here. If settled in Bhubaneswar, Hikaka will be the second MLA to be so rehabilitated in the capital for fear of being hounded by the Maoists.

BJD MLA Aurobinda Dhali had changed his constituency from Malkangiri and moved to Bhubaneswar after being targeted by the rebels twice.