Government is not keeping its word: Dandapani

BHUBANESWAR: Maoist interlocutor Dandapani Mohanty has hit out at the State Government for violating the agreement it had reached for the release of the two Italian nationals and BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka from  captivity of the Left Wing Extremists (LWEs). Mohanty, who was one of the Maoist-appointed negotiators for talks, has alleged that the Government has forgotten its promise as soon as the hostage crisis was over by intensifying combing operation against the rebels. He has demanded that atrocities against the tribals in the name of combing operation and anti-Maoist campaign in the State should stop forthwith. He has also requested the Maoists to refrain from revenge violence. There were raids on the camps of secretary of the Odisha State Organising Committee (OSOC) of the CPI(Maoist) Sabyasachi Panda twice during the period and attempts are being made to eliminate him, he said. Mohanty said combing operations against the Andhra- Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) has also intensified after the release of Hikaka from captivity. He alleged that no steps have been taken for fulfilment of the 13-point agreement and release of innocent persons from prisons. Though the mediators are prepared for regular discussions on the progress of implementation of the agreements, the Government is not interested, he said.  It has also not kept its promise to release 28 persons from prisons, including Arati Majhi and Suka Nachika. On other hand, the bail applications of the duo were rejected because of opposition from Government pleaders. Mohanty was also critical of the Centre for its missive on the advisory which, he said, indirectly  asked the State Government to intensify its anti-Maoist campaign. Killings by the Maoists have increased after the hostage crisis. An ASI of police was shot dead in Nuapada district while several persons, including a contractor, was killed in Koraput district.