Mediators begin talk with Maoist leader to free officials

Bhubaneswar : The mediators in a bid to free the abducted Malkangiri collector and a Orissa government engineer, began negotiating with a jailed Maoist leader on Tuesday.

Professor G Hargopal and Dandapani Mohanty, who have been chosen by the Maoists to mediate with the Orissa government, called on rebel leader Ganti Prasad Rao at a jail in Jharpada and started negotiation on the demands of the Maoists in lieu of freedom of the two officials.

Prasad was brought here from a Koraput jail to talk with the interlocutors.

However, nothing could be achieved immediately to end the deadlock, official sources said.

Malkangiri district collector R. V. Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi have been hostages by the Moaists since their abduction last week. The rebels said they would release only after the Orissa government withdrew the central forces being used against the Maoists and free their leaders from jails.

Prasad’s participation in the negotiations was also a demand of the Maoists, who masterminded the kidnapping of Krishna and Majhi on Feb 16 from Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri district.

Prof. Hargopal before talking to the jailed Maoist leaders had suggested the government should release Prasad on bail.

The government on Monday evening began shifting jailed Maoist Ganti Prasad Rao from Koraput to Bhubaneswar to carry forward negotiations with interlocutors.

The government actions come to settle eight of the 14 demands to let go of Krishna and Majhi.

“We have come to agreement on eight issues based on specific government measures and decisions,” state Home secretary U N Behera had said.

He said the two government officials are safe.