Don’t bend

The abduction of two Italians by Maoists in Orissa, one of whom was released on Sunday, as well as that of Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka, may have exposed the fractures within the state Maoist leadership. While the Italians were kidnapped by Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, the police are considering the possibility of the MLA’s abduction by a rival group. Panda is a known rebel, responsible for actions censured by the Maoist central committee, for which he reportedly fell out of its favour.

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