Maoist Prasad say collector kidnapped in protest

Malkangiri, Orissa, Feb 21: The Maoists are on a rampage and have spread terror to Orissa with the abduction of Malknagiri District Collector R V Krishna. With the Orissa government and Maoists representative's engaged in inconclusive talks, the fate of the kidnapped government official hangs in the balance.

Top Maoist leader Prasad explained his stand on the extreme step taken. He was quoted as saying on a local Oriya channel that, “We do not believe in violence. But the system targets poor people to benefit the rich through violent means. So we also resort to violence to root out the violent system."

Prasad was describing the Maoist revolt as a sort of freedom fight and stated that the people of south Orissa had fought the British under the able leadership of freedom fighter Laxman Nayak for their land, forest and water that was rightfully theirs.

Prasad claimed that this was exactly the same situation that the Maoists are engaging at the moment. He said, “The government has put hundreds of people, including innocent tribals, in jail on the pretext of they being Maoists just because they have been fighting for land, forest and water. We have abducted the Malkangiri collector (R Vineel Krishna) in protest."

The Maoists are demanding the release of their jailed leaders Ghanti Prasad, Srinivaslu Ramulu and Padma in exchange for the release of the kidnapped Collector. Prasad also demanded that that the Polavaram project that was threatening to displace tribals be scrapped.

Prasad also demanded that the combing operation in Orissa be seized following the mediation talks between Maoists and the government. Prasad claimed, “But it still continues in Andhra Pradesh. The Orissa government should prevail upon the Andhra Pradesh government to halt all operations."

OneIndia News