Mr. Jhina Hikaka, a young and popular MLA, representing the Laxmipur constituency in the Koraput district was elected on a BJD ticket in 2009. He was a govt servant before joining politics and had worked as an extension officer in the Laxmipur Block of Koraput district. He happens to be on eof the youngest MLAs in Odisha, just in his thirties.
These series of abductions in period of a week has raised questions about the over all handling of the naxal problem by the state government and an environment of fear seems to have been cast in the locality.
Laxmipur which is just 45 kms away from Rayagada district HQ is closely linked to this district and just before the 2008 delimitation a major part of Rayagada district was coming in the Laxmipur constituency.
There is lot of resentment in the locality because of this abduction of a popular leader and massive spontaneous protests are seen all over. Politicians, intellectuals and member so f the civil society, including journalists are planning massive protests against this action of maoists and demanding the safe an early release of all the hostages, including the italian nationals in Kandhamal.
