The Congress on Saturday demanded investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into allegation of payment of ransom to the Maoists to secure release of former Malkangiri collector R. Vineel Krishna and BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka.
The party also sought resignation of chief minister Naveen Patnaik for “resorting to such unethical” means to free the two hostages.
“A Maoist mediator has reportedly claimed that ransom was paid for release of the then Malkangiri district collector who was abducted by Maoists in February 2011. This is a serious revelation and must be probed by the NIA,” Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh and Congress chief whip in Orissa Legislative Assembly Prasad Harichandan told mediapersons here.
Maoist mediator Dandapani Mohanty had on Friday told the media that `4 crores was paid for release of then Malkangiri collector R. Vineel Krishna in 2011. Besides, `2 crores was paid to free BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka from Naxal captivity early in 2012. “As this is a very serious allegation, it needs to be immediately handed over to NIA for investigation,” Mr Singh said.
Mr Harichandan said his party’s allegation of the link between leaders of the ruling BJD and Maoists was vindicated by the Maoist mediator’s revelation of ransom payment.
“Dandapani Mohanty, who had played a key role during negotiations for release of the hostages, has made this claim. Therefore, we will write to the NIA to seek a probe by it into charges of ransom being paid to Maoists,” Mr Harichandan said.
The Congress leaders said the payment of ransom was an act of encouragement to left-wing extremism.