Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 - With a Maoist 'peoples court' likely to try Odisha BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka tomorrow at Narayanpatna in Koraput district, the ultras were taking advantage of the halt in security force operations by digging up roads in the area since Friday to make it inacessible.

"As anti-Maoist operations have been stopped as per their demands following the hostage crisis, the present situation will certainly give the Maoists opportunity to re-group and prepare for major attacks", said a senior official.

It was also not known whether the Maoists would extend their deadline as earlier, but they were lingering with the situation as operations by security forces were halted, he said.

Though the Maoist Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee holding 37-year-old Laxmipur MLA hostage has said his fate would be decided by a 'praja court' by tomorrow, there was no definite information about its exact time and venue.

There was, however, some indication with the state government that the people's court would be held in Narayanpatna area, the official said.

Narayanpatna area remained cut off from the rest of the state since Friday because of road blockades put up by the Maoists and a 'Maoist week' called from today.

"We don't think road communication can be restored in the next couple of days as civilians are not cooperating with the administration in removing the road blockades", a senior district official said.

The police were considering all security measures before taking steps to remove the blockades, he said. 

Felled trees blocked the Narayanpatna-Laxmipur and Narayanpatna-Bandhugaon roads, while a two-day bandh was observed by the ultras from April 20 to demand withdrawal of the security forces.

The Maoists have stuck to their demand for release of 29 rebels for the freedom of their hostage, while the Odisha government was ready to facilitate release of 25 prisoners.

The government was apparently unwilling to release four others, including Gananatha Patra, the adviser of Maoist front organisation Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS).

Hikaka was abducted in the early hours of March 24 when he was returning home to Laxmipur after attending a meeting at Koraput town. PTI