Kandhamal Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda threatened on Monday that Italian hostage Basusco Paolo might be killed if the Orissa government did not act swiftly on their demands, and alleged it was planning an offensive against them.
Earlier on Monday, home department officials said the government had agreed to release nearly 40 Maoist cadres, including Subhashree Panda, wife of top Naxal Sabyasachi Panda, now lodged in Gunupur jail.
The state government also said it was considering releasing some top Maoist cadres to get BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka freed.
Mr Hikaka, who represents Laxmipur in Koraput district, was kidnapped on March 24 night.
The local media, quoting tribals in the Narayanpatna forest region where the MLA is believed to be captive, suggested he was seriously ill.
The reports claimed he was suffering from dehydration in the hot hilly terrain, and was getting saline drips in a jungle camp.
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Suu Kyi effect: PM may visit Burma in May
Age Correspondent
New Delhi, April 2
A day after Burma’s iconic democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi won a parliamentary byelection, signalling a positive change in her country, there were indications from New Delhi that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit Burma next month.
While the dates are still being finalised, it is expected Dr Singh would go on a two-day visit, which will greatly bolster India’s relations with Burma as it takes incremental steps towards democracy.
Dr Singh’s visit, when it takes place, will make him the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Burma in 25 years. The last visit was by Rajiv Gandhi, who had gone there in 1987.