Chitrakonda tahsildar D Gopalakrishna said RV Krishna was released by Maoists this evening and was on his way to his home in Malkangiri, which is about 90km from the spot where the official was freed.
After remaining in captivity for nine days, Malkangiri collector RV Krishna was released today by Maoists, an official said, finally bringing to an end the tense hostage crisis in Orissa.
Chitrakonda tahsildar D Gopalakrishna said Krishna was released by Maoists this evening and was on his way to his home in Malkangiri, which is about 90km from the spot where the official was freed.
The 30-year-old IIT graduate-turned IAS officer was released before a "people's court" by his abductors in a forested area in Jantapai close to the area where he was abducted along with junior engineer Pabitra Majhi on February 16, eyewitnesses said. 22-year-old Majhi was freed yesterday.
TV footage showed Krishna in a check shirt and a blue pant sitting on a boulder with folded hands appearing to be in good health listening as an undientified man spoke about the problems faced by villagers. Malkangiri is about 650km from
the state capital.
Krishna, who sported an occasional smile, was also seen eating out his hand from a plate.
Inspector in-charge of Chitrakonda Rajesh Chhatria said Krishna was released at Jantapai area.
"It is a good end. it is a positive end," said Swami Agnivesh, a Maoist sympathiser after the end of the hostage crisis which had a new twist yesterday when Maoists made fresh set of demands raising uncertainty whether the rebels will
honour their commitment made on Tuesday to release the two abducted men within 48 hours.
The fresh demand was an immediate release of five naxal leaders. Orissa government had already accepted all the 14 demands made by Naxals.
Prof Hargopal, who was among the Maoist-aoppointed mediators, appealed to Maoists yesterday to release Krishna by 6pm this evening.
Hargopal said the Maoists at no stage ever made any threat to kill Krishna.
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