Orissa’s Malkangiri District Collector Mr Vineel Krishna, who was said to have been released by the Maoists on Wednesday after the government made the announcement on agreeing to their demands, is still a hostage in the hands of the kidnappers. It is now established that the news of his release is not true.

There were reports earlier that the Maoists had released both the IAS officer and the junior engineer kidnapped by them five days ago but officials confirmed hat Mr Krishna has still remained a hostage as the Maoists have come out with new demands.

After the senior officials made the announcement the government has agreed to the demands of the Maoists, Maoists had only released the junior engineer and through him sent a letter to the district administration making some new demands and asking for the release of their five jailed colleagues immediately.
 
The new demands of the Maoists have angered the mediators Mr Haragopal and others who have expressed their unhappiness openly with the Maoists. They made announcement through radio asking the Maoists to release the Collector by this evening as agreed earlier.