Will do everything to get Hikaka released: Patnaik

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday said his government will do everything for the release of Biju Janata Dal party legislator Jhina Hikaka, who was abducted by Maoists three weeks ago.

Maoists have demanded the release of their comrades from jail in exchange for releasing Hikaka.

Patnaik, who is here to attend the daylong conference of state chief ministers on internal security convened by the centre, said the situation was being monitored by the central government too.

"I assure you that the government will leave no stone unturned to secure the release of our young tribal MLA," he told reporters on the sidelines of the conference.

Earlier, while going to attend a meeting of non-Congress chief ministers at Tamil Nadu Bhavan here, Patnaik said he had old family ties with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

"As you are aware, we have a meeting of non-Congress chief ministers here," Patnaik said before going in for the meeting.

"I have old family ties with Madam," he said.

Non-Congress chief ministers, including Patnaik and Jayalalithaa, have been protesting the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre, an anti-terror intelligence hub, on the grounds that it interferes with states' rights.