In a four-page letter issued to media houses late last night, the Maoists have named three people as mediators. This has led authorities to believe that the Maoists have extended the 48-hour deadline they had set when they kidnapped the two men.
The letter also spells out seven demands for their release. Top among those demands are the withdrawal of Central forces from Malkangiri, a complete end to Operation Greenhunt, and the release of arrested Maoists.
The Maoists also say that Vineel Krishna has been a part of the 'repressive regime' in Orissa, and is therefore, not above the board despite claims that he was working for the poor.
The letter, faxed to media houses in Orissa, is the first confirmation that the abduction has been carried out by the CPI Maoists.
Meanwhile, the Orissa Assembly witnessed a huge uproar today with the Opposition demanding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's resignation over the abduction of the Collector.
The state government yesterday halted anti-Maoist operations throughout Orissa. They also said they were ready to talk to the Maoists.
Krishna was kidnapped by Maoists on Thursday when he was returning after an interaction programme in Gumma block of tribal-dominated Malkangiri district. The Maoists then set a 48-hour deadline for the Central forces to be withdrawn from the district and their jailed cadres released.
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