Bhubaneswar: Surrendered Maoist Dunna Kesava Rao aka Azad, lodged in Jharpada special jail in Bhubaneswar, launched an indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday demanding speedy trial in cases against him.

The 52-year-old has been in the jail here since June 1, 2011, almost a fortnight after he surrendered before Andhra Pradesh police, which was seen as a body blow to the Maoist organisation in Odisha. He was the senior most member of the Odisha State Organising Committee after secretary Sabyasachi Panda. ADVERTISEMENT

According to jail sources, Azad has refused to have food since morning protesting against non-compliance of the Supreme Court order to expedite his trials. “He previously approached the Supreme Court, seeking directives for the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police to expedite his

See Full Page