Armed rebels abduct political leader in eastern India

Armed rebels, known as "Maoists," abducted a public representative at gunpoint in India's eastern state of Odisha while he was returning home on Saturday, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI). The kidnapped political leader, Jhina Hikaka, belongs to the "Biju Janata Dal (BJD)" political party, which is presently ruling the state. His abduction has sent shockwaves across the state, even as the State Government is grappling with abduction of two Italian citizens by Maoists a couple of days ago. Negotiations between the State Government and the Maoists are proceeding for safe release of the Italian citizens Hikaka, a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the state, was reportedly abducted by more than 100 armed Maoists. The gunmen stopped his car, pulled him out at gunpoint and abducted him, before allowing his personal security officer (PSO) and driver to leave safely. Immediately after being asked to leave, the MLA's PSO and driver informed the local police about the incident. "Steps have been initiated to ascertain the whereabouts of the legislator. The rebels left some leaflets which said all the demands for Italian hostages' release should be fulfilled," a local police officer was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik convened an emergency meeting of his cabinet and the state police to try win release of the hostages safely. The incident assumes significance as it happened on the day the Communist Party of India (Maoists) has called shutdown in the country, protesting against anti-Maoists operations and fake cases against people by the police and security forces.