Orissa CM appeals for release of abducted collector

The incident has also rocked the state Assembly with Opposition Congress storming the well of the House and askingthe BJD government to give information about Krishna''swhereabouts spelling out steps being taken for his release.

The Assembly was adjourned twice following the uproarwith the Congress demanding an immediate statement on theissue by the government.

Though it was immediately not clear as to where theCollector has been taken to by the ultras numbering about 50,he is believed to have been kept somewhere in Janbai areasurrounded by water bodies, close to Andhra Pradesh, officialsources said.

The area, covered with dense forests, is inaccessible,they said, adding Krishna along with other officials had goneto the place after crossing Gurupriya river by a boat.

Communication links with many areas in Chitrakondawere snapped as the ultras were believed to have damaged amobile tower in the area, the sources said.

BJD leader Jay Panda said, "The government is actuallydoing a lot of things behind the scenes in trying to tap thesource of the network of informers and trying to locateKrishna".

Panda said that the collector had been helping thetribals by conducting remote camps to provide relief to themon issues particularly relating to land.

The incident shocked people in Malkangiri districtwith most shops and business establishments remaining closedand roads witnessing thin traffic, they said.

A rally was taken out in the district headquarter townby volunteers from different sections of the society demandingearly release of the collector.

Sources said the government was trying to handle thematter with utmost care and caution while trying all channelsfor Krishna''s release.