Click to play videoBhubaneshwar: It could take another 48 hours before abducted Malkangiri District Collector R Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi are released by the Naxals. Professor Hargopal said that the Naxals agreed to release the duo following discussions between Orissa government and the mediators.
"Media started the confusion. We don't have information of their release. We had said yesterday (Tuesday) evening they would released within 48 hours. There are logistical issues. Modalities are being worked out for the release of the collector and JE and they will be back within 48 hours," said Hargopal.
However, sources told CNN-IBN that the abducted Collector and the junior engineer are likely to be handed over to village sarpanches on Wednesday evening.
In Malkangiri, the mood was upbeat and a large number of tribals thronged Krishna's residence, waiting for his return.
Krishna, a 2005 batch IAS officer, and Majhi were abducted on February 16 from Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri district. The Naxals gave an initial deadline of 48 hours which was extended after appeals from Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Orissa government has agreed to meet most of the demands put forward by the Naxals except one - the release Naxal leader Sriramulu Srinivas.
Naxal ideologue Varavara Rao, who had claimed that the hostages were handed over to four sarpanches on Tuesday night, expressed regret for having given the information as some modifications were made in the process of freeing the duo.
"I would like to tender my apologies for having stated yesterday that they had been released," the Naxal ideologue said.
"However, the process for their return is underway and both will be back shortly," he said.
There was no official confirmation on the release of the Malkangiri collector and junior engineer and senior officials were tight-lipped over the matter even as the demands made by the Maoists had been met.
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