The Odisha Government said it is seriously considering to withdraw prosecution against some of the 25 Maoist prisoners if the Maoists release the abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka by 5 pm today. This softening of stand by the state government has come in response to an audio message issued by the Maoists demanding withdrawal of all charges against all 29 prisoners named by them. They also threatened to take drastic action if the state government failed to make its stand on their demands by this evening.

In a press release, the state government said that already two of the 25 prisoners have got bail from courts in earlier cases and appealed to Maoists to take steps to move the bail petitions of the rest as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the abducted MLA Hikaka spoke to the state Chief Secretary BK Patnaik and the BJD MP from Koraput, Jayaram Pangi over phone from the Maoist camp and requested them to take the demands of Maoists seriously.