Bhubaneswar Sharp differences among Maoists have came to the fore with some demanding release of all members of rebel- backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha ( CMAS) from jail in return for release of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka while the others want
the fate of the MLA decided at a alt39 prajaalt39 court, reports PTI. ” We demand release of all members of CMAS who are in jail now. If Odisha government is interested in freeing the MLA, it must first release all of them,” Srikakulam- Koraput Committee of the CPI ( Maoist) leader Daya said in a letter released to a section of the media. Maintaining that the Maoists were opposed to the governments policies and approach, the letter in Telugu said the government was ” responsible” for the delay in release of the 37- yearold tribal MLA from Laxmipur.
Dayas letter presented a contradictory stand as it came a day after the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee ( AOBSZC) of CPI ( Maoist) spokesman Jagabandhu in an audio message said the fate of the abducted MLA would be decided at a praja court to be held by April 25.
” Dayas fresh letter is confusing.
While Jagabandhu says something, Daya is demanding release of all the CMAS members lodged in jails. We are not sure which is right,” said a state government official engaged in the hostage crisis. While AOBSZC, whose area of operation is considered to be much broader than Srikakulam- Koraput committee, wants release of 29 jailed rebels, Daya seeks all CMAS members to be freed from prisons, he said. Moreover, there is no mention about praja court in the letter purportedly released by Daya, who is considered much junior to Jagabandhi in the hierarchy of the Maoist outfit, said another official.
