Orissa: Mediators likely to seek Ganti's help

With the hostage crisis getting complicated by the fresh demands made by Maoists, Orissa government and the mediators are likely to take the help of Naxalite leader Ganti Prasadam to secure the release of Malkangiri district collector R V Krishna, official sources said.

Prasadam, who had taken part in the negotiation with the state government for safe release of Malkangiri Collector R V Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi, could be sent to the jungles to meet the ultras holding Krishna hostage for the
last 8 days.

"I hope the collector will be released tomorrow, February 24," Prasadam told reporters before being shifted to Koraput jail from where he would be released. Though junior engineer Pabitra Majhi was released this afternoon, Krishna remained in Maoists' captivity causing concern for the state government as well as the Maoist-selected mediators Professor Hargopal, Professor R S Rao and Dandapani Mohanty.

"Ganti

Prasadam was part of the negotiations. An agreement between Orissa government and the mediators had been made with his consultation. Therefore, it would be wise to give him the responsibility of convincing Maoists," said a senior official.

This apart, Ganti Prasadam had himself told the media that he would like to "defuse" the situation soon. Therefore, he was shifted to the spcial jail here from Koraput jail for negotiations. Asked whether the state government would send Ganti to hold talks with Maoists holding the Malkangiri collector hostage, Home Secretary U B Behera said "let us see what best can be done." However, Behera did not rule out the option of sending Ganti Prasadam to the jungles to have a talk with the guerrillas.

Inspector General of Police (prison) Pranabindu Acharya late in the night was asked to have a discussion with the mediators in presence of the home secretary to chalk out a plan on using Ganti Prasadam's service, the sources said.