Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, April 16 (IANS) A human rights activist who helped to defuse a hostage crisis in Orissa in February Saturday slammed the state government for resuming anti-Maoist operations without any provocation.

Dandapani Mohanty, one of the three mediators who facilitated the release of abducted Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna and junior engineer P.M. Majhi, said the government violated its agreement with the Maoists that was concluded to end the hostage crisis.

The government promised that there would not be any combing operations unless and until there was a provocation from the Maoists.

Instead of respecting that agreement, the government and the security forces have restarted combing operations without any provocation from the rebels, Mohanty said in a statement.

Citing the agreement, he said the government also agreed to release about 627 tribals held in various prisons.

Instead of releasing them, the security forces have started arresting more tribals, Mohanty said.

Krishna and Majhi were abducted by Maoists in February when they were inspecting a developmental work.

The two officials were released about a week later after hectic negotiations by the three mediators, including Mohanty. All the mediators were chosen by the rebels.

The Maoists freed the officials when the government agreed to all their 14 conditions, including a halt on anti-rebel operations and release of jailed Maoists leaders.