Abducted Malkangiri Collector R. Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi were released in the Chitrakonda area of the district on Tuesday as soon as the Orissa government agreed to the Maoists' demands. The released officials are expected to reach home later on Wednesday.
According to sources, the two were not harmed by the Maoists, who had kidnapped them from near the Balimela reservoir on Wednesday last.
The news of the release came minutes after the government accepted some more demands, in all 15, of the Maoists and a formal announcement was made, at a press conference held by three mediators and two officials here, that the two would be freed within 48 hours.
Suspected Maoist Ganti Prasadam, who was brought here from Koraput, was consulted by the mediators in the local jail during the day.
The government agreed to withdraw a case against Prasadam and four others — Kandula Sirisa alias Padma (wife of Maoist leader Ramakrishna); Andaluri Iswari; Rosa Mandangi, and driver Gokul Kuldipia.
As for the release of Ashutosh Sen, Srinivas Sriramulu, Gananath Patra and Tapan Mishra, it agreed to examine the cases on their merits.
On withdrawal of cases against hundreds of tribals who had been jailed as Maoists, the government agreed to review the cases within three months.
