Dandapani in problem over Rs 6 cr ransom money

BHUBANESWAR: Maoist interlocutor Dandapani Mohanty is now in problem over the alleged Rs 6 crore ransom issue for the safe release of MLA Jhina Hikaka and then Malkangiri collector R Vineel Krishna from the clutches of Maoists during abduction. After Mohanty’s statement on the ransom money, the CPI (Maoist) Malkangiri Divisional Committee warned him to disburse the said amount among the poor within 15 days otherwise he would face the music.

The committee clarified that they didn’t take any ransom from the State Government for the release of Hikaka and Krishna. If Dandapani Mohanty is claiming any such deal between Government and Maoists, the committee in a Press release said, he must disburse the amount. The release also said that Mohanty must withdraw his statement otherwise action would be taken against him in praja court.

On the other hand, Mohanty said that he has told media that he would present his statement before the inquiry panel if constituted to probe the matter. He, suspecting authenticity of the letter, refused to tell anything on the Committee’s letter before checking it clearly.

It may be noted that Mohanty in a Television interview revealed that the State Government had given Rs 4 crore to the Maoists for the release of Vineel Krishna in 2011 and Rs 2 crore during Hikaka’s abduction. Following the matter, the Congress party leaders demanded National Investigative Agency (NIA) probe into the relationship in between State Government and Maoists.