Bhubaneswar: The opposition in Odisha on Thursday criticised the state government`s role in handling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka hostage crisis, even as it welcomed the release of the legislator after 33 days of captivity.
"We are happy that the MLA has been set free but the episode has exposed the rapidly worsening law and order situation. It seems the government does not exist in Orissa," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee chief Niranjan Patnaik said.
Echoing his views, state BJP president Jual Oram said, "it is good that the tribal MLA is now free but it shows the state government has failed to perform its duty...All tall claims made by the state government about working for the welfare and uplift of tribals have been proved hollow."
The 37-year-old Laxmipur MLA was today freed at Balipeta in the Maoist hot-bed of Narayanpatna after a Maoist `praja (people`s)` court decided to release him following his reported assurance to the rebels that he would resign as MLA, snap all ties with BJD and live as an ordinary citizen and work for the people.
PTI
