The Collector of the Maoist-hit Malkangiri district in Orissa Mr R.V. Krishna, 30, was kidnapped by the Maoists last evening when he went to a remote Maoist-dominated village in the Assam-Orissa Border (AOB) along with officials for reviewing developmental projects.

The Maoists sent a letter through one of the officials demanding withdrawal of Paramilitary forces from the area and release of their jailed colleagues. Reports said that Maoists haveactually kidnapped three persons including the IAS officer but released an engineering official to send the letter. Mr Krishna, who hails from Vijayawada, has completed his civil engineering course in IIT Chennai and then opted for the civil services.

Officials said Mr Krishna went to attend a developmental review camp in the remote Chitrakonda area, 85 km from the district headquarters.  “Moving on a motor bike along with his engineers in the hilly area, he went to examine a culvert when they were kidnapped by the Maoists. Some reports said the District Collector was kidnapped by Maoists when he was returning from a review camp.

The Maoists demanded in the letter withdrawal of Central forces from the district, immediate halt to anti-Naxal operations and release of their jailed colleagues in exchange for the safe release of the Collector. Police officials said they were trying to open a channel to have discussions with the kidnappers.
Sources in Hyderabad said that police officials from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam districts are also engaged in the efforts to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped IAS officer.