Communist Party of India - Marxist central committee has expelled Sabyasachi Panda, believed to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping of two Italians in Odisha, for his alleged 'inimical stand' and open criticism of the leadership 'with an evil intention'. Panda, who was in charge of the outfit's Odisha state committee, was termed a 'renegade' by the CPI-Maoist central committee.
In a major achievement for Odisha police, top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda wanted in over 60 criminal cases, has been arrested prompting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to appeal to Naxals to eschew violence and join the mainstream
Abduction for the release of jailed Maoists is becoming a trend in Odisha. Considering the almost habitual surrender of various state governments to their demands, extremists will use this tactic regularly, says Bibhu Prasad Routray.
Accusing the Odisha government of failing to fulfill promises made during recent hostage crisis, top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda on Sunday said rebels may turn violent if the administration resorted to suppression.
Prasant Majhi (23), who claimed to have worked as a bodyguard of Panda for the last over two years, surrendered without any weapons before the Superintendent of Police of Gajapati district Sarthak Sarangi.
The wife of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, whose outfit claimed to have abducted Italian national Paolo Basusco, on Tuesday appealed to the ultras not to harm the hostage.
A top Maoist leader on Sunday said they would release Paolo Bosusco, the other Italian national still held captive by them, only after they feel that the Odisha government was serious about their demands.
Despite describing her husband Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda as her "friend, philosopher and guide", wife Subhasree Das alias Mili on Thursday denounced the act of taking a foreign national hostage and showed willingness to become a mediator.
The Maoists holding Italian Paolo Bosusco hostage on Wednesday welcomed 'certain' steps taken by the Odisha government to meet their demands while the fate of Biju Janata Dal MLA Jhina Hikaka held by another Naxal group was still unknown as the deadline set by both sides ended on Tuesday.
With the deadline set by two Maoist groups holding an Italian and a MLA hostage ending on Tuesday, one of the groups claimed that the Odisha government was unclear in meeting its demands.
Top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda has claimed responsibility for the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four others, which lead to large scale flare-up in Orissa's Kandhamal district, according to two local television channels.
Eight persons, including a Maoist leader, were sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment on Thursday by a court in Kandhamal district for the murder of senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others in 2008 that triggered communal violence leaving 37 dead.
Despite major setbacks, the Maoists' ability to inflict damage on the State and maintain its position as the saviour of the tribals will keep them relevant, says Bibhu Prasad Routray.
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