Ganti Prasadam keen to be part of negotiation with Orissa

"The mediators told us that both Malkangiri collector and junior engineer are safe and secure and that they will notbe harmed when talks are held," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaikinformed the assembly.

The bail plea of Ganti Prasadam, Padma, wife oftop naxal leader Ramakrishna, and three others was likely tobe heard on February 23.

Prasadam was brought to Koraput from a jail in AndhraPradesh yesterday and produced before a court there whichrejected his bail plea and sent him to jail.

An order on the bail plea of another rebel SriramuluSrinivasulu is likely to be pronounced by a fast track courtin Makangiri tomorrow.

While Hargopal, Someswar Rao and Dandapani Mohanty,handpicked by Maoists, joined talks as mediators, the stategovernment was represented by home secretary U N Beheraand Panchayati Raj secretary S N Tripathy.

Maoists call for a bandh did not affect normal life inthe state. However, government buses went off the roads insome areas of districts like Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada andKandhamal, sources said.

Ever since the abduction, normal life has come to astandstill in Malkangiri district with people from all walksof life showing solidarity with Krishna and Majhi by closingshops and markets and taking out rallies for early release ofthe hostages.

Schools, colleges and government offices have remainedclosed as people have been taking out peace processions,holding prayer meetings and signature campaigns in protest.

PTI AAM SKN CR SC