Hours after his release from Maoist captivity in a remote location on the Andhra Pradesh-Orissa border, Malkangiri Collector R Vineel Krishna said, “I feel that I was just a rallying point. I think the people wanted to give a larger message through the love and affection which they have shown to me in the hour of crisis.”
Talking to selected mediapersons at Janbai, Krishna — who looked calm — said the Maoists looked after his “well being and dignity” during the eight days in captivity. “I am absolutely fine. There were no health problems,” he said when asked about reports that he was unwell.
“I was surprised when I was picked by the Maoists. I was in fact travelling in that area to oversee the development initiatives which we had taken up for the people in these remote areas,” he said, adding that during his stay with the Maoists the rebels mainly talked about their agenda and talked issues relating to mining. “Besides, they also talked about the usual issues being raised by the CPI (Maoist).”
“I never felt that I was in danger. They had made it clear that they will not harm me,” he said.
Replying to a question on whether his stay with the Maoists changed his perspective about development in any way, he said, “There is always scope for a debate on the nature for development. Ultimately, the poor tribal community must benefit.”
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