Author: Debabrata Mohanty
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: March 25, 2012
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/he-backed-development-had-local-support-angered-maoists/928055/0

In his first Assembly elections in 2009, Jhina Hikaka, contesting on a BJD ticket, managed to wrest the Congress stronghold of Laxmipur in Koraput despite having joined politics just a few years back. Known to be among the few tribal politicians popular with their electorate, Hikaka was earlier a contractual employee with the state water resources department.

Hikaka was also among the few tribal politicians who stood up to the Maoists in the red corridor of Koraput-Malkangiri-Rayagada. Narayanpatna block, a forested area with hilly terrain in Koraput district that became a new Maoist hub soon after the 2009 Assembly elections, falls under Laxmipur Assembly constituency.

According to officials, Hikaka did not quite see eye to eye with the leaders of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh, which is backed by Maoists. Since the MLA had his own tribal following, he had become the biggest threat for CMAS Narayanpatna leader Nachika Linga, now a fugitive, who was known to harbour political ambitions. Sources said it was Hikaka who stood in the way of Linga becoming a MLA.

Oficials said Hikaka was provided a personal security officer after growing threats from the CMAS.

“He was perhaps the only tribal politician in Koraput who supported the police and district administration in their developmental activities. He was also pro-Adivasi, in a way he can be called the political equivalent of former Malkangiri district collector Vineel Krishna,” said a district official in Koraput, referring to the IAS officer who was abducted by Maoists last year.

“He did not demand percentages from any work and regularly attended meetings of the district administration. Unlike Jagabandhu Majhi, the slain BJD MLA of Umerkote in neighbouring Nabarangpur district, who made money out of developmental schemes, nobody could point an accusing fingers at Hikaka,” said the official, requesting anonymity.