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Odisha Government on Thursday announced the names of the 27 persons, who will be released in exchange for the abducted Biju Janata Dal MLA Jhina Hikaka and an Italian from the captivity of the Maoists. "Now, I will read out the names to you of the four persons, whose release shall be facilitated by the Government of Odisha. These names are in connection with the release of the Italian national Mr. Paolo Bosusco. The first name is Arti Majhi, number two Suka Nachika, third Charkra Tadingi and the final name is Subhashree Das, also known as Mili Panda. She is the wife of Sabyasachi Panda. He (Sabyasachi Panda) is the Secretary of Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI (Maoist)," said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. "Finally in view of this announcement, the Government of Odisha will take the next three legal steps of facilitating the release of a total number of 27 persons. As you can see, the Government of Odisha has made this gesture on human grounds. I do hope that the Maoists will reciprocate in a similar spirit and release the young MLA and of course the Italian national immediately," he added. Patnaik further informed that out of the total eight Maoists to be released, two ultras are from Andhra Pradesh and are married to each other "I shall now read out the names of the eight Maoists, who are in custody whose release will be facilitated by the Government of Odisha. Out of these names, two persons are from Andhra Pradesh," he said. The eight Maoists to be released by the Odisha Government are Narsi Kendruka, Joroka Kendruka, Teba Madhi, Ganga Sodi, Bheema Padyaami, Mangraj Darua, Murla Neelam Reddy and Setu Bongi, The 15 members of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh to be released are Rupuni Sereka, Minyaka Sandal, Maniyaka Jama, Saura Kartasiya, Nachika Subba, Vadeka Dibba, Rabi Tadingi, Dhana Hantal, Dora Hantal, Ramesh Nachika, Huluku Kesaba, Ina Tadingi, Rupana Huluka, Argu Sereka and Bijay Tadingi. The Odisha Government had earlier on Wednesday accepted Maoist demands for securing the safe release of abducted Biju Janata Dal MLA and an Italian from the captivity of the ultras. Patnaik had earlier urged Maoists to release the legislator and another Italian national. The repeated appeals to free the hostages were, however, rejected. Boscusco Paolo was kidnapped along with fellow Italian named Clandio Colangilo. The latter was released by the Maoists last month after spending 11 days in captivity. Hikaka was kidnapped near Toyaput after a large group of armed men stopped him as he was being driven through a hilly area some 500 kilometres away from Bhubaneswar on March 24. Hikaka's kidnappers have warned that the life of the tribal MLA could be in danger if the government attempts to search or secure his release through a security operation. The statement in Telugu listed demands, including a halt to combing operations and release of several rebels and tribals lodged in jails in Koraput, Malkangiri and Berhampur. Refusing to hold talks through mediators on their demands for release of Hikaka, it asked the state government to make known its stand through media.

Odisha Govt gives in to Maoists' demands, names Naxals to be released