Bhubaneswar, April 3
Abductors of BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka today fixed April 5 as the deadline for fulfilment of their demands and rejected the Odisha government's invitation for talks, a day after a similar threat was issued by another Maoist group holding an Italian hostage.

In an audio message to a section of media, Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of Maoists asked the Odisha government to fulfil their demands, including release of the jailed rebels latest by April 5 for setting free the Laxmipur MLA unharmed. Rejecting the state government's proposal to join talks and nominate negotiators, the ultras said their demands should be met without any "delaying tactics".

In the wake of threats from both the rebel groups holding Hikaka and Italian Paolo Bosusco, CM Naveen Patnaik held an emergency meeting with officials to take stock of the situation and find ways to resolve the twin hostage crises. — PTI