'I will enter politics but not join any party', says Milli Panda

Bhubaneshwar, Apr 11 (ANI): Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda's wife Subhashree Das alias Milli Panda, who was acquitted in a case relating to an encounter between police and the Maoists, on Wednesday said she will enter politics but not join any party.

"If I will get a chance then I will surely enter politics but would not join any party," she said.

"Force is no solution to the Maoist problem. Government should negotiate with Maoists," she added.

She said she had been released not due to any 'external pressure,' but solely for the fact that she was innocent.

"This is my victory. Please do not think that I have been released due to any pressure or external coercion. This is a victory of my innocence. I think the honourable court has done justice in my case. This victory goes to the honourable court," she addedilli was accused of involvement in the exchange of fire between Maoists and police in Kutingaguda area of the district in 2003. However, citing the 'abject lack of appropriate evidence' in the case, the Gunupur fast track court called for her release.

She had been arrested in 2010 for her alleged involvement in militant activities. However, charges against here were dropped after the Odisha High Court quashed the case against her in 2011.

She is one of the rebels whose release was sought by Maoists in exchange of the abducted Italian national, Paolo Bososco.

Odisha Government had earlier announced the names of the 27 persons, who will be released in exchange for the abducted Biju Janata Dal MLA Jhina Hikaka and an Italian from the captivity of the Maoists.

Paolo Bososco was kidnapped along with fellow Italian named Clandio Colangilo. The latter was released by the Maoists last month after spending 11 days in captivity.

Hikaka was kidnapped near Toyaput after a large group of armed men stopped him as he was being driven through a hilly area some 500 kilometres away from Bhubaneswar on March 24.

Hikaka's kidnappers have warned that the life of the tribal MLA could be in danger if the government attempts to search or secure his release through a security operation.

The statement in Telugu listed demands, including a halt to combing operations and release of several rebels and tribals lodged in jails in Koraput, Malkangiri and Berhampur. Refusing to hold talks through mediators on their demands for release of Hikaka, it asked the state government to make known its stand through the media. (ANI)