Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka and family members with chief minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Nivas on Monday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, April 30: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who met BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka here today for the first time since the lawmaker from Laxmipur was freed by Maoists on April 26, wants him to continue with his responsibilities as a member of the state legislature.

“Why should anyone who has been elected democratically ever resign under pressure? I don’t believe in this at all,” said Naveen. The chief minister had a long chat with the 38-year-old tribal leader, who was taken captive by the rebels on March 24 near Toyaput in Koraput district.

Hikaka’s continuance as a member of the Assembly has been the subject of intense speculation since his release, as he is reported to have secured his freedom by giving a written undertaking to the Maoists that he would quit as an MLA.

However, emerging from his 45-minute meeting with the chief minister at Naveen Nivas here, Hikaka appeared to be in no mood to discuss the issue.

Instead, he claimed that the issue of his resignation had not figured during the meeting.

Arriving here from Koraput in the evening, Hikaka, along with his wife Kaushalya and two sons, drove straight to Naveen Nivas, the official residence of the chief minister. Naveen, who tried his best to put the traumatised legislator at ease, later told reporters: “I am very happy that Hikaka is with us here today. It’s a tremendous relief to us. I hope he will be able to relax and take it easy.” Hikaka, who left for his MLA colony residence immediately after the meeting, appeared relaxed. “He advised me to relax after my recent experience. The meeting went well,” said the legislator.

With the hostage issue resolved, the state government has stepped up its anti-Maoist operation across the state making deep forays into the forested belt on the Kandhamal-Ganjam border which serves as the hideout of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda. Panda had put the government under pressure recently by taking two Italians hostage.

Commenting on the ongoing operations, DIG (south-western range) Soumendra Priydarshi said: “Intensive combing is going on in the area, but we are taking all precautions to ensure that our men are not targeted by the Maoists.”

Sources said that Panda, who is being pushed relentlessly towards the Rayagada border, might soon find himself cornered.

One of his camps in the Kandhamal-Ganjam forests has been destroyed by security forces who commenced the operation two days ago. “We are going to intensify it further,” said an officer.