BHUBANESWAR: The State Government seems to have toughened its stance on Tuesday even as the fate of the hostages held captive by the two Maoist groups still remain uncertain.Sources said the Government has decided to facilitate release of 27 prisoners for the freedom of the two hostages __ Italian national Paolo Bosusco and Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka __ and not cave into further demands from the rebel groups. Virtually rejecting the demand from the Andhra- Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI(Maoist) to release five more prisoners, including Naxalite leader Cheda Bhusanam alias Ghasi, Home Secretary U N Behera said the Government has agreed to facilitate the release of 27 detainees of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) and the CPI(Maoist). Their names have been announced, he said. Asked whether any decision has been taken on the fresh demands of the AOBSZC, Behera said they are being examined and no decision has so far been taken. The Home Secretary said as the Chief Minister had stated on the very first day, whatever action will be taken will be within the framework of law. Behera said the Government has not received any further communication from either AOBSZC holding Hikaka or the Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI(Maoist), which had kidnapped Bosusco. In a Press note, the AOBSZC had asked the wife of the abducted MLA to reach Balipeta village in the Naxalite-affected area with 30 prisoners along with the two mediators, B D Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, and advocate Nihar Patnaik. The Government had, however, stuck to the swap deal announced by it to release Hikaka. It had advised the Maoist group to take steps for filing bail petitions on behalf of 23 prisoners it had agreed to release. Replying to a question, the Home Secretary said no bail applications had so far been filed on behalf of any of the 23 prisoners. He, however, said Milli Panda alias Subhashree, wife of Sabyasachi Panda, has got bail from the fast track court at Gunupur. Asked whether police will re-arrest Milli Panda as she expressed fear over alleged involvement in the 2008 Nayagarh attack case, Behera said the Government had announced that it will facilitate the release of prisoners in the list agreed by it. Meanwhile, in a new audio tape, Maoist leader Sabyasachi has said he is yet to receive the joint statement signed by the Government mediators and the Maoist interlocutors. Sabyasachi is reported to have said he is not yet clear on the number of prisoners to be set free and also on the fate of the 13-point charter of demands. But the Home Secretary said, “it is hoped that the joint statement has reached Panda in the meantime.” Both the Maoist groups had set April 10 deadline for fulfilment of their demands. The Government, meanwhile, faces a piquant situation with the police force in no mood to take the swap deal lying down. On Monday, the police force made it clear that they would in no way support the release of hardcore Maoists as demanded by the abductors and committed by the Government. There is an undercurrent of revulsion in the forces. However, gauging the mood, the Government too started talking tough that no more prisoners would be released. Even one of the interlocutors, B D Sharma, said the Government has walked a long way and the Maoists must keep their words.
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