Maoists declared that they would release the abducted MLA from Lakshmipuram, Jhina Hikaka on Thursday. They have said that the decision to set free Hikaka was taken by the Praja Court.  Notably, the MLA promised in the people’s court that he would resign as the member of the legislative assembly and even from the ruling party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The decision was made public by the vernacular channel in Odisha aired the message of Maoist leader Aruna. The leader has said the MLA tendered apologies to the rebels and also to the people who were present at the people’s court.

It may be recalled that Maoists adbucted 37-year-old Jhina Hikaka in Koraput of Odisha on March 24.  They said they would set free Hikaka if 29 prisoners of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), a group that reportedly works on tribal-issues. The state government said it would release 25 of them for which the group didn’t accept. They, later, said a praja court would be held to decide the fate of Jhina Hikaka.

After holding the people’s court and Hikaka promising he would resign from the legislative assembly besides tendering apologies to rebels, the court decided to release him.

MLA Jhina Hikaka would be handed over to his wife Kausalya at 10 AM in Balipeta. (Phani)