Opposition MLAs alleged that Naveen Patnaik was indifferent towards kidnapping of a tribal law maker and also an Italian national.
Lashing out at the Odisha government for its "silence" over the twin abductions, Opposition MLAs on Friday alleged that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was indifferent towards kidnapping of a tribal law maker and also an Italian national.
The hostage issue was raised during zero hour when members cutting across party lines expressed concern over the incident and demanded steps for early release of Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka, who has been in the captivity of Maoists since March 24.
"The state government has not taken any step to ensure release of the tribal MLA. Had it been the case of a general caste MLA, the government would have acted promptly," said senior Congress member and former minister Dambaru Ullaka, adding tribals were treated as "sacrificial lambs" by the BJD government.
Alleging that the tribals were worst sufferers under the BJD's regime, Ullaka said, "This government has no concern for the tribals and also MLAs from this community."
Noting that the same BJD government was prompt in taking action to release the then Malkangiri District Collector R Vineel Krishna from the clutches of Maoists last year, Congress MLA Bhujabal Majhi alleged that the chief minister had left the fate of Hikaka and Italian national Paolo Basusco in the hands of god.
"The state government's way of handling the hostage crisis is not yielding any result. The chief minister is not taking either the opposition into confidence or convening all party meeting to resolve the issue," Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan said.
Dubbing the state government as "insensitive" towards the crisis, Harichandan warned that it would be responsible for any harm to Hikaka and Paolo. "The government is not involving politicians and police in the process of holding negotiation with the abductors," he said.
BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo too slammed the government for allegedly keeping the assembly in dark over hostage crisis.
"The House needs to be informed about the condition of hostages. The state government must clarify its stand on the demands made by the Maoist holding Hikaka and Basusco," he said.
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