Fate of Odisha MLA, Italians remain unknown
The fate of a tribal BJD MLA and two Italians held captive by Maoists in Odisha remained unknown on Sunday, a day after talks to end the hostage crisis were suspended and the mediators appointed by the ultras quit.
Though speculation was rife that the two Italians were released in Daringbadi area in Kandhamal district late last night, neither the administration nor the police had any information.
Police teams were positioned at some places, including Daringbadi square, the entire night after media reports that the Italians were being released, but there was no confirmation that the hostages were freed, sub-divisional Police Officer of Baliguda Satyajit Nayak said.
Though there was no information about the release of Italians, the administration was alert and ready for any such development, Baliguda sub-collector B. S. Punia said.
While 37-year-old Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka was abducted by armed Maoists in Koraput district at 1:00 AM on Saturday, the two Italisns - Puri based tour operator Paolo Basusco and tourist Claudio Colangelo - were kidnapped in Kandhamal district on March 14.
The state government made a fresh review of the situation at a high-level meeting, particularly after suspension of talks with Maoist mediators in view of the MLA's abduction near Toyaput district in Koraput district and killing of a police sub-inspector in Malkangiri district, sources said.
The abduction of the ruling BJD legislator compounded the woes of the state government already struggling to resolve the 11-day Italian hostage crisis.
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