The Orissa government on Saturday said it has agreed to free five of the six Maoists the abductors of the Italian have demanded for his release.
"The Maoists have sought release of six persons. The state government has decided to facilitate the release of five of the six," chief minister Naveen Patnaik said in a statement in the state Assembly.
Piling up pressure on the state government, Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda on Friday threatened to take ‘extreme step’ on the 54-year-old Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco if his demands were not met within 96 hours.
Terming as ‘incorrect’ that views of B. D. Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, who were mediating for the release of the Italian national, were not taken into consideration while taking the decision, Patnaik said the two had categorically stated that the rebels want release of six persons - Arati Majhi, Manohan Pradhan, Suka Nachika, Chakra Tadingi, Bijay Tadingi and Subhashree Das.
"In view of the state government's clarification, in this House, I appeal again to the Orissa State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist) headed by Sabyasachi Panda to release the Italian national immediately and unharmed," the CM said.
Patnaik also appealed for the release of Jhina Hikaka, the tribal BJD MLA from Laxmipur, immediately.