UN Behera and (below) Dandapani Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, May 15: The Odisha government today said it was honouring all the commitments it had made for the release of two Italians and Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka from Maoist captivity.

The government’s reaction came after Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee secretary Daya and Dandapani Mohanty, who had acted as mediator for the release of the kidnapped trio, alleged that the government had backed out from its commitments. On Monday, Hikaka had met chief minister Naveen Patnaik for the second time at Naveen Nivas and said he was under stress. Hikaka had apparently given an undertaking in a Maoist kangaroo court while in captivity that he would resign from the Assembly upon being released.

Addressing a news conference, home secretary U.N. Behera said: “We are honouring our commitments. In connection with the release of the two Italian tourists, Subhashree Das, wife of CPI (Maoists) Odisha secretary Sabyasachi Panda, was acquitted and has come out of jail. Bail has been granted to Arati Majhi in two cases and rejected in three cases in the sessions court. She can appeal to the high court.” Behera was addressing the news conference along with panchayati raj secretary P.K. Jena.

He said rebels Suka Nachika and Chakra Tadingi could also approach the high court to seek bail. Of the 23 persons who were supposed to be released in exchange for the MLA’s release, Behera said: “ Bail has been granted in seven cases. While four of them have been released, the remaining three will be released on production of bail.”

Issuing a warning to the Maoists not to indulge in violence, Behera said: “The state government is responsible for maintaining public order and protecting the life and property of citizens. All attempts to disrupt public order and unlawful activities have to be firmly dealt with.” In a related development, a Keonjhar district policeman died today during combing operations in the district. He died on the spot after being shot in the stomach, police said. The deceased has been identified as Ajaya Sahu, 31, of Thakuapatana village, on the outskirts of the district headquarters town. Sahu was taking part in a joint combing operation by the Keonjhar police and the CRPF jawans in the border areas of Keonjhar and Sundergarh districts. However, the police said he had died in an accident.