Maoists on hunger strike in jail

SAMBALPUR: At least 17 Maoists, languishing in Sambalpur Circle Jail, went on a hunger strike on Friday demanding speedy trial. The ultras criticised the arrests of innocent people by terming them as Maoists. They demanded fulfillment of the assurances made by the Government during the release of former Malkangiri Collector R Vineel Krishna.Though the jail officials tried to convince the protestors, the inmates refused to budge from their stand till late evening. They have submitted a memorandum to the Jail Superintendent PK Mahapatra urging the Government to take up their cases immediately.