Odisha Mla Abducted

• Maoists to release new audio tape on resignation: Odisha MLA

  Three days after being freed by the Maoists, Odisha's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Laxmipur, Jhina Hikaka today said the ultras are likely to release a fresh audio message which could clear the air over his possible resignation as a legislator.

• Jhina Hikaka will quit as MLA after release, claims Maoist spokesperson

  The Maoist abductors of Odisha politician Jhina Hikaka have said they will release the Laxmipur MLA tomorrow. In an audio message released today, the Maoists said that they had agreed to release their hostage on an undertaking from him that he would resign as an MLA and snap all ties with his party, the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

• Maoists produce Jhina Hikaka in 'people's court'

  Maoists on Thursday produced abducted ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA Jhina Hikaka before a people's court to decide his fate, a day after the Odisha government said it would withdraw cases against 13 prisoners in exchange for freedom of the tribal legislator.

• Odisha MLA hostage crisis: Maoists extend deadline to April 18

  The fate of the tribal MLA abducted by Maoists in Odisha continues to hang in the balance. The ultras have further extended the deadline to April 18 for the state government to release 29 prisoners in return for setting free ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA, Jhina Hikaka.

• Odisha names prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages

  In exchange for an Italian tour guide and an MLA, the Odisha government has agreed to release 27 prisoners, including eight Naxals. The hostages are being held by two rival factions of Naxals. No date has been fixed yet for the release of the prisoners. Here are 10 big facts on this story:

• Odisha hostage crisis: Talks with Maoists suspended indefinitely after MLA's abduction

  The discussion between the Maoist interlocutors and the Odisha government over the release of the two abducted Italian nationals has been suspended indefinitely after an MLA of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Jhina Hikaka, was abducted from Koraput district today.

• Odisha abduction: Uproar in assembly

  Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members on Saturday created an uproar in Odisha assembly over the abduction of a tribal member by Maoists.

• Odisha MLA's abduction fallout of factional rivalry between Maoists?

  A tribal MLA of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha, Jhina Hikaka, has been abducted by Maoists in Koraput district. The abduction comes 10 days after the Maoists took two Italians hostage from Kandhamal district. Sources have told NDTV that factional rivalry between Maoists is likely the reason behind the MLA's abduction.