Top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, currently serving a life sentence in Odisha’s Berhampur Circle Jail, has expressed his desire to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Administration through the Odisha State Open University (OSOU), a prison official revealed on Wednesday.

Panda, 55, completed his Bachelor’s degree through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) two years ago. He is among six inmates who have submitted their documents to enroll in the two-year MA (Public Administration) correspondence course offered by OSOU.

Of the six applicants, four are convicts, including Panda, while the remaining two are undertrial prisoners.

“We have forwarded the documents of all six inmates, including Panda, for enrollment in the program,” said DN Barik, Senior Superintendent of Berhampur Circle Jail. Jail teacher Sanatan Khillar explained that once their admissions are confirmed, study materials will be provided, and the inmates will prepare independently to take their examinations.

Panda, who has been in custody since his arrest on July 18, 2014, in Berhampur, is accused in over 130 Maoist-related cases across several districts. A local court sentenced him to life imprisonment for waging war against the nation.

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