Malkangiri Collector released

PTI

Bhuvaneshvar, 25 February 2011: After eight nerve racking days, the Maoists finally released Malkangiri Collector R.V. Krishna late on Thursday evening. The Collector was freed after a four-hour- long public meeting organised by the Maoists at Tentuliguda village.

 

Speaking to this correspondent Mr. Krishna thanked the public and the media for their support and said he was in good health and had been treated well by his captors.

 

Chitrakonda Tahsildar D. Gopalakrishna said Mr. Krishna was released by Maoists on Thursday evening and was on his way to his home in Malkangiri, which is about 90 km from the spot where the official was freed.

 

The 30-year-old IIT graduate-turned IAS officer was released before a “people’s court” by his abductors in a forested area in Jantapai close to the area where he was abducted along with junior engineer Pabitra Majhi on February 16, eyewitnesses said. Mr. Majhi was freed on Wednesday.

 

TV footage showed Mr. Krishna in a check shirt and a blue pant sitting on a boulder with folded hands appearing to be in good health listening as an unidentified man spoke about the problems faced by villagers. Malkangiri is about 650 km from the state capital.

 

Mr. Krishna, who sported an occasional smile, was also seen eating from a plate. Inspector in-charge of Chitrakonda Rajesh Chhatria said Mr. Krishna was released at Jantapai area.

 

“It is a good end. it is a positive end,” said Swami Agnivesh, after the end of the hostage crisis which had a new twist on Wednesday when Maoists made fresh set of demands raising uncertainty whether the rebels will honour their commitment.

 

The fresh demand was an immediate release of five naxal leaders. Orissa government had already accepted all the 14 demands made by Naxals.

 

Prof Hargopal, who was among the Maoist-aoppointed mediators, appealed to Maoists on Wednesday to release Mr. Krishna by 6 p.m. on Thursday evening.

 

Mr. Hargopal said the Maoists at no stage ever made any threat to kill Mr. Krishna.