Koraput : Maoists guerrillas on Tuesday set April 5 deadline for the government to concede to their demands to secure release of abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka.

According to reports, Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh today sent an audio tape to a private TV news channel, asking the state government to release their jailed comrades and halt anti-Maoist operations against them.

Responding to the Odisha government’s invitation for talks, the rebels said the government should first fulfill certain conditions before asking the Maoists rebels to come to the negotiation table.

Listing the conditions for participating in the talks for Hikaka’s release, outfit chief Nachika Linga Linga, on the run since 2009, said in a statement to the media that all cases against him would have to be withdrawn and all jailed CMAS members released.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had invited the CMAS after Maoist-nominated mediators, BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, who took part in inconclusive talks for 10 days for the release of Bosusco, left on Saturday saying they were leaving as the government required more time.

Meanwhile, back channel efforts are also underway by the state government to secure the release of Italian Puri-based tour operator, Paolo Bosusco.