In Odisha, Maoists have extended the deadline till 18th of this month for fulfillment of their demands in exchange of abducted ruling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka. The Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist), holding the legislator, has withdrawn the name of dreaded Maoist Cheda Bhusanam alias Ghasi from the release list of prisoners to be released. Leader of Andhra Odisha Border Zonal Committee, Jagabandhu, in a fresh communication to lawyer of CPI (Maoist) Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, has said that the MLA will be released only if 29 prisoners of CPI (Maoist) and Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha are freed. He said the MLA will be handed over to the wife of Hikaka in presence of the lawyer of CPI (Maoist). The Odisha Government has already announced that bail applications are being processed for 15 activists of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha and eight Maoists. It has directed the Koraput district administration to help the prisoners in getting bail. As the Maoists refused to hold negotiations to resolve the hostage crisis through mediators, it has become difficult for the Odisha Government to make any headway. Odisha Home Secretary Upendra Nath Behera has said direct negotiations would have facilitated the process. He, however, said no back-channel contact with abductors has been established so far.