Prison ADG Arun Roy on Sunday visited the Jharpada Special Jail here and held discussions with Maoist D Keshav Rao alias Azad, who along with seven others, are on an indefinite hunger strike seeking speedy trial of the cases against them and their recognition as political prisoners.
The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Saturday had asked the ADG and the State Government to take immediate steps to restrain the 12 Maoists from fasting in the Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar and the Bhanjanagar Sub-Jail.
It had also asked the officials to submit an action-taken report (ATR) in this regard within two weeks. The commission issued the directive after taking note of the demands of the jailed Maoists.
Azad has also sent a five-point charter of demands to the Government.
The demands are speedy trial, stooping of lodging of fresh charges, commencement of trial within three to six months' of arrest, provision of political prisoner status and refraining from re-arrest when acquitted by a court or out on bail.