Odisha BJP demands President's rule following Collector's kidnapping by Maoists

Bhubaneswar, Feb 17 (ANI): Condemning the abduction of Malkangiri District Collector R Vineel Krishna by the Maoists, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded the imposition of President's rule in Odisha, as the Naveen Patnaik Government has not been able to control the Maoists.

Odisha BJP President Jual Oram said: "Law and order situation has gone out of control of the Naveen Patnaik Government. If Maoists have really kidnapped the District Magistrate and Collector, it is a very dangerous act".

Oram, who is the former Union Tribal Affairs Minister, alleged that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Government in Orissa has good connection with the red ultras and it might be a ploy of Chief Minister Patnaik to divert public attention from the multi-crore 'dal scam'.

Asserting that the kidnapping might be a 'well planned episode', Oram said he that will write to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to look into this issue and come up with the facts.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Patnaik urged the Maoists to release the abducted Collector.

"I appeal for early release of the young and energetic officer who is known for his hard work among the poor and tribals," Patnaik told reporters.

"The government is evaluating all options and monitoring the situation closely," he said, and added that efforts were on to secure early release of the officer.

The Chief Minister further said the letters sent by the collector's abduction had the handwriting of Krishna, adding that the ultras are demanding a halt to anti-Maoist operations and release of all those lodged in jails.

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.

Additional reinforcements of policemen have been sent to the area to trace the Collector. A red alert has been sounded in the area bordering Andhra Pradesh.

This is the first time the Maoists have abducted an IAS officer in Odisha. (ANI)