Bhubaneswar, June 23: The process of withdrawing cases against the Maoists and their sympathisers has begun, with the Orissa government taking steps to release another 153 persons languishing in various jails across the state.

The move comes in the wake of withdrawal of charges against four Maoist leaders on Wednesday. The government withdrew cases registered against Andaluri Eswari (29), Roja Madingi alias Puni alias Sarita (21), Kendula Sirisha (42) alias Padma alias Nirmala and Gokul Kuldipia (42) in the Semiliguda area of Koraput.

“This is an important move in accordance with the promises made in February while negotiating the release of former Malkangiri collector, R. Vineel Krishna, who had been kidnapped by the rebels,” said a senior official.

One of the interlocutors, Danadpani Mohanty, who was involved in the negotiation process, said: “The government should immediately take steps to withdraw cases against Maoists ideologue Ganti Prasadam, Gananath Patra, Subhashree Panda (wife of Sabysachi Panda), Araati Majhi and Aphira Badamajhi.

Similarly, innocent tribals languishing in Naryanpatna area in Koraput and Bonai area in Sundergarh areas should be immediately released by June 30,” he added.

Mohanty alleged that the police had falsely implicated Aphira Badamajhi, a Khallikot College student, for a carrying magazine, which carried the story of Arudhati Roy.

However, the Orissa government has expedited the process of resolving the land problems afflicting the tribals in the scheduled areas.

A high-level committee was constituted sometime ago, with chief administrator, KBK, as its chairman to look into the land issue.

It has as its members the member of board of revenue, secretary of revenue and disaster management, secretary of SC and ST development, revenue divisional commissioner (southern division), revenue divisional commissioner (northern division) and secretary of board of revenue.

Land has been a major cause of strife in the tribal areas of the state where Maoist activities have been on the rise.

The Maoist-backed Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) is spearheading a movement against non-tribals who have allegedly usurped tribal land in the Narayanpatna area of Koraput district.

Many CMAS leaders are in jail with Maoists and their ideologues stepping up the demand for their release.

The release of CMAS activists from jail is, in fact, one of the sailent features of the 14-point agreement between the government and the Maoist-chosen representatives, which had paved the way for the release of Malkangiri collector, R.Vineel Krishna.

Bhubaneswar, June 23: The process of withdrawing cases against Maoists and their sympathizers has begun with state government taking steps to release another 153 persons languishing in different jails across Orissa.

The move comes in the wake of withdrawal of charges against four Maoist leaders on Wednesday. The government withdrew cases registered against Andaluri Eswari (29), Roja Madingi alias Puni alias Sarita (21), Kendula Sirisha (42) alias Padma alias Nirmala and Gokul Kuldipia (42) in the Semiliguda area of Koraput.

“This is an important move in accordance with the promises made in February while negotiating the release of former Malkangiri collector, R. Vineel Krishna who had been kidnapped by the rebels,” said a senior official.

One of the interlocutors Danadpani Mohanty, who was involved in the negotiation process, said, “the government should immediately take steps to withdraw cases against Maoists idealogue Ganti Prasadam, Gananath Patra, Subhashree Panda( Wife of Sabysachi Panda), Araati Majhi and Aphira Badamajhi. Similarly, innocent tribals languishing in Naryanpatna area in Koraput and Bonai area in Sundergarh areas should be immediately released by June 30.”

Mohanty alleged that the police had falsely implicated Aphira Badamajhi, a Khallikot College student, for a carrying magazine which carried the story of Arudhati Ray.

However, the State government has expedited the process of resolving the land problems afflicting the tribals in the scheduled areas. A high level committee was constituted sometime ago with chief administrator, KBK, as its chairman to look into the land issue. It has as its members the Member, Board of Revenue, Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Secretary, SC and ST Development, Revenue Divisional Commissioner ( southern division), Revenue Divisional Commissioner ( Northern Division) and the secretary, Board of Revenue.

Land has been a major cause of strife in the tribal areas of the state where Maoist activities have been on the rise. The Maoist-backed Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) is spearheading a movement against non-tribals who have allegedly usurped tribal land in the Narayanpatna area of Koraput district.

Many CMAS leaders are in jail with Maoists and their ideologues stepping up the demand for their release. The release of CMAS activists from jail is, in fact, one of the sailent features of the 14 point agreement between the government and the Maoist-chosen representatives which had paved the way for the release of Malkangiri collector, R.Vineel Krishna.