Hikaka freed,silent on quitting MLAs post

There was no harassment. But right now,I am feeling relieved, said Hikaka soon after his release,adding that the Maoists shifted him three times during the entire period of abduction.

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Thirty-four days after he was abducted by Maoists,Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Koraput Jhina Hikaka was released on Thursday. Wearing the same green kurta that he was last spotted in on the day he was abducted,Hikaka reached Balipeta village in Koraputs Narayanpatna block at 10.30 am,where his wife,Koushalya,and lawyer,Nihar Patnaik,were waiting. An emotional Hikaka first embraced the lawyer and then his wife,before heading to his Laxmipur residence.

They treated me well. They offered me the same food they were eating. There was no harassment. But right now,I am feeling relieved, said Hikaka soon after his release,adding that the Maoists shifted him three times during the entire period of abduction.

Later,at a press conference at the Koraput circuit house,Hikaka said he was too mentally depressed to recount his experience. When asked about the reported decision made at the praja court that he would have to resign as MLA,he said things would be clearer soon.

Hikaka was reported to have told the praja court on April 23 and 24 that he would leave politics forever and lead the life of a common man. But BJD leaders in Koraput and Bhubaneswar said one should not read much in the MLAs statement. He seems depressed. I did not discuss the resignation issue. There is time for it later, said Jeypore MLA Rabi Narayan Nanda.

The Maoists reportedly put pressure on Hikaka to submit his resignation to pave the way for Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) chief Nachika Linga.

Doctors who attended to Hikaka said the MLAs health was fine,except for some skin rashes.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed his release and said,I am happy for him. Two weeks ago,I was with his family in Laxmipur in Koraput district. His mother,wife and two small children were in great distress and very anxious.

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Hikaka,37,was taken hostage by Maoists belonging to the Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee at Tayaput village on March 23 night. His release came after the state government acceded to the Maoists demands,including facilitating the release of 25 people,including 17 CMAS activists.