Orissa Collector's release still in the doldrums
In exile for the last seven days, the government was in frantic talks with the factionists to secure the release of the kidnapped government officials. The Maoists had set forth a set of demands in order to release the Collector and his aide. Majhi arrived in Malakangiri after his release from Janatai village by traveling through Chitrakonda.
The release happened soon after the mediator, Prof G Hargopal, had commented, "Both the Malkangiri Collector and the junior engineer will be freed and will be back within 48 hours. However, the they have confirmed about the hostages safety as government sources claimed, the mediators have given us firm commitment on the safe return of the collector and junior engineer."
The Orissa government succumbed to most of the demand made by the Maoists. Sources in the Maoist community said that the hostages were released through the sarpanches and added that the mode of release of the hostages were tweaked without prior intimation and this led to the confusion.
OneIndia News