Mediator to leave for Bhubaneswar Sunday

HYDERABAD - Human rights activist and academic Hargopal will leave for Bhubaneswar Sunday to begin mediation for the release of Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna.

Hargopal, who arrived here from New Delhi Saturday, held talks with the other mediator, R. Someshwar Rao, and Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary writer Varavara Rao.

The trio met at Hyderabad Central University to discuss modalities for the mediation to seek the safe release of Krishna, who hails from Andhra Pradesh.

Since Someshwar Rao, a retired professor of Sambhalpur University, cannot travel to Bhubaneswar because of ill-health, Hargopal alone would be leaving for the Orissa capital.

Hargopal said he was also not in a position to travel to forests to hold talks with Maoists. He suggested that Orissa government release Maoist Ghanti Prasadam so that he can act as an emissary.

Hargopal said he would be in touch with Someshwar Rao and both would make all efforts to seek the release of the kidnapped district official.

On the Maoists’ conditions for his release, Hargopal said he would be able to comment only after reaching Bhubaneswar and holding talks with the officials. Prasadam is currently lodged in a jail in Andhra Pradesh. He was arrested four months ago in Orissa and was later shifted to Andhra Pradesh.

However, the efforts to seek the kidnapped district collector’s release may be delayed as the Orissa government has to move the concerned court in Orissa for Prasadam’s release on bail and the order has to be communicated to the jail in Andhra Pradesh where he is lodged.