Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who left for New Delhi on a five-day visit on Sunday, said he would monitor the situation in the face of fresh demand of the CPI Maoists for release of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka.
Patnaik said this while commenting on the fresh audio CD issued by the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of CPI (Maoists), extending the dead line to April 18 for the release 29 prisoners in exchange of the abducted MLA.
The Maoists have categorically stated that the abducted MLA would be freed only after the government released the 29 prisoners named by them.
The AOBSZC had earlier demanded the release of 30 prisoners including Cheda Bhusanam alias Ghasi against whom several criminal cases were pending in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The Andhra Pradesh Government has even awarded a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh on his head. (UNI)