Orissa MLA kidnap: 2 Maoists held

Two hardcore Maoists who were involved in the abduction of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka in April were arrested from Narayanpatna area of Koraput district on Wednesday.

Arjun Meleka and Musuri Wateka were nabbed by security forces from Kanchanpadu village during a special operation in the Naxal-affected zone,said Narayanpatna police station inspector Atanu Rout. Police said Meleka has eight cases against him. Wateka has seven cases against him.

Hikaka could not say if they were among those who abducted him. I was being guarded by a group of eight Maoists while the main group was away at a separate place. These two may have been with the main group, the MLA said.

Hikaka was released from Maoists captivity last month.