BHUBANESWAR: A day after Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda threatened retaliatory violence against police action, the State Government on Monday appealed to the rebels to shun violence and surrender, taking advantage of the surrender and rehabilitation policy. “I appeal again to my misguided young brothers and sisters who have gone to the Maoist cause, law of the jungle ..request them to return to the mainstream,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said before leaving for Delhi, from where he is slated to proceed to the UK on a week-long visit. Naveen hoped that the Maoists would return to mainstream and take benefits of the new rehabilitation policy meant for them. Home Secretary U N Behera also appealed to the Maoists to shun violence and surrender. “The State Government once again appeals to the CPI(Maoist) not to indulge in violence. The Government has announced an attractive rehabilitation policy. They should take advantage of it,” he told mediapersons here. Behera rejected the allegations made by Sabyasachi, secretary of the Odisha State Organising Committee of CPI(Maoist), that the Government has failed to keep promises made during negotiations for the release of abducted Italian nationals. It is implementing the commitments made during the hostage crisis. Withdrawal of prosecution against 13 persons, as promised, is also under process, he said. On Sabyasachi’s allegation that police have stepped up operation in areas under the control of OSOC despite no violence by them, Behera said other groups, besides OSOC, are also active in the area. The operations are being conducted based on intelligence inputs. Maoists-sponsored ‘bandhs’ are also affecting the entire State and disrupting public life. The Home Secretary said while the Government is making all possible efforts to maintain peace and order, Maoists have continued to indulge in violent activities. One more person was killed in Malkangiri district on Sunday, he said. The Government maintained that steps are being taken to facilitate release of four persons from jail as committed for release of two Italian nationals and 23 others in case of release of the tribal MLA Jhina Hikaka. Release of five persons was to be facilitated in connection with the Italian nationals. Out of these, Sabyasachi’s wife Subhashree Das has already been released. Two cases are pending against her in Nayagarh police station since 2008, he said. Arati Majhi has been granted bail in two out of six cases. In the case involving Suka Nachika, Chakra Tadingi and Bijay Tadingi, bail has been rejected in the district and sessions court, Berhampur. Persons whose bail petitions have been rejected in lower court should move the higher court and get bail, he said.
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