Asian Centre for Human Rights condemns kidnapping of Malkangiri District Collector

New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) on Thursday condemned the kidnapping of R Vineel Krishna, the District Collector of Odisha's Malkangiri District by the Maoists.

Asian Centre for Human Rights urged the Maoists to release Krishna, who is a civilian officer.

Condemning the incident, Asian Centre for Human Rights Director Suhas Chakma said: "aking of hostages constitutes a gross violation of international humanitarian laws specifically the Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions applicable in non international armed conflict situations."

"The Maoists must respect international humanitarian laws and taking of hostageannot be justified on any ground," he added.

Krishna, who was on his way back after attending a health camp in Chitrakonda, has been missing since last evening.

The Maoists have sent a note through a junior engineer accompanying Krishna demanding immediate halt to Operation Green Hunt and release of jailed Maoists. (ANI)