Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday made a fresh appeal to the Maoists for releasing the two Italian tourists who were taken hostages by the rebels on March 14.
“I once again make a strong appeal on humane grounds, here, in the august House, to release the two Italian citizens immediately and to see that they are unharmed,” the chief minister said while briefing the legislators about the latest developments in the abduction drama.
Mr Patnaik said a pamphlet containing 13 demands of Maoists for release of the two abducted Italians was received on Monday by the state government. “However, the abductors are yet to nominate anyone for holding negotiations with the government,” he said
“A pamphlet in the name of ‘Sunil’, secretary, Orissa State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist), containing 13 demands of the Maoists, has been received. This pamphlet is being examined by the state government. The Maoists have not yet nominated their representatives to discuss the matter on their behalf with the government,” he added.
Sources said the two tourists — Mr Bausco Paolo and Mr Claudio Colangelo — were hale and hearty in the forests. They were taking regular preventive medicines for malaria.
Meanwhile, India on Monday assured Italy that it would do everything possible to secure the safe release of its citizens abducted by Maoists from the tribal regions of Orissa.
This was conveyed by external affairs minister S.M. Krishna during a telephonic conversation with his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi.
The MHA officials said it is for the first time that foreigners have been abducted by Maoists and the incident has only exposed the cruel and violent face of the CPI (Maoist). The MHA has not ordered any suspension of anti-Naxal operations.