Even after the 48-hour deadline set by the Maoists ended on Friday evening, the Orissa government was not able to establish contact with District Collector R. Vineel Krishna, who was kidnapped by the extremists, along with a junior engineer on Wednesday.
‘No physical harm please'
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the abductors to extend the deadline and urged the Maoists not to cause any physical harm to Mr. Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary B.K. Patnaik told presspersons that they had established contact with human rights activists R. Someswar Rao and Hargopal. Prof. Rao is a retired Professor of Sambalpur University in western Orissa, while Prof. Hargopal is working with the Central University, Hyderabad.
The names of these two activists were suggested by the Maoists, who had initially demanded a halt to combing operations in Malkangiri district and release innocent tribals who were kept in jail for years as Maoists.
Road blocked
Meanwhile, the Maoists blocked the Jeypore-Malkangiri road by felling trees and digging up the road at many locations. The authorities were not able to clear the road fearing it could have been mined. The issue of the abduction figured prominently in the Assembly with the Opposition blaming the government for its failure to secure the release of the abducted officials.
Earlier in the day, senior officials of the State government had a high level meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to review the situation and consider all options based on the various media reports and intelligence inputs. Director General of Police and top officials were present. After the meeting, the Chief Secretary apprised the Chief Minister about establishing contact with Prof. Rao and Prof. Hargopal and efforts were started for early release of Mr. Krishna and Mr. Majhi.
