Bhubaneswar, July 13: Maoists have accused the Odisha government of going back on the promises made at the time of Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka’s release from their captivity in April.
In a letter released to the media today, CPI(Maoist) Andhra-Odisha Special Border Zonal Committee spokesperson Aruna said while innocent tribals continued to languish in jails, security forces were still committing atrocities in the name of conducting operations in rural areas.
Hikaka, a BJD MLA, was kidnapped by the Maoists on March 24 from Toyaput in his constituency. He was released on April 26 after the government agreed to facilitate the release of 25 Maoists and Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) leaders lodged in different jails of Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
However, most of these leaders, whose release was sought by the Maoists, are still behind bars. Sources said that while some of them were yet to move for bail as suggested by the government, in the case of others the process of granting bail was taking time.
In her letter, Aruna said that while politicians and intellectuals, who had become hyperactive in the wake of Hikaka’s abduction, had fallen silent now, the CRPF, BSF and Greyhound jawans engaged in combing operations in Koraput and Malkangiri were arresting and torturing innocent tribals. “They are being thrown into jails after being branded Maoists. Night combing by the security forces in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon has paralysed farming operations in these areas,” she said.
Aruna took particular exception to night combing by the security forces saying they were waking up people in the dead of the night and arresting them in “the most unfair manner”. “In the last one month, at least 15 tribals have been arrested and thrown into jail after being dubbed Maoists in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon,” she said.
The Maoist leader’s letter was an indication of the growing frustration among the rebels who are being increasingly cornered by security forces who have mounted a massive operation in Koraput and Malkangiri.
