BHUBANESWAR: It's been five days since BJD MLA Jina Hikaka was abducted in Odisha and there has still been no breakthrough. But sources say he may have been involved in a secret deal with the Naxals in Koraput to wrest control of a Zila Parishad seat.
CNN-IBN has access to a letter to the Odisha Chief Minister, signed by a BJD MP and 3 MLAs including Hikaka. It states an 11-point agenda by a tribal organisation that is supported by the Naxals. It called for the release of several arrested supporters and also judicial inquiry into the killings of several of their leaders. Sources say Hikaka may have been abducted when the deal didn't go the Naxals' way.
Hikaka was abducted by Naxals on Friday night in Koraput district. Koraput SP confirmed that the BJD MLA was picked up by the Naxals while he was on his way home. Hikaka was traveling with his driver and personal assistant, who were let off by the Naxals. The BJD MLA's driver said that the abductors identified themselves as Naxals.
Jhina Hikaka, legislator from Laxmipur, was returning home from Koraput when more than 50 armed rebels stopped his vehicle near Toyaput, Koraput Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said.
Meanwhile, the second Italian Paolo Boscusco, abducted by another faction of the Naxals, is still in their custody.