Bhubaneswar:
Italian ambassador Giacomo Sanfelice Di Monteforte met with chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat on Thursday night to apprise him of the anxiety in Italy over Paolo's liberation while thanking the government for its efforts to resolve the hostage crisis.
The Italian ambassador is in Bhubaneswar to monitor the developments with regard to the possible release of the second Italian national held hostage by the Maoists.
"I thank the chief minister for the support granted so far and liberation of Claudio Colangelo. I told him how this case of abduction of Paolo Bosusco is closely followed in Italy," Mr Monteforte told reporters after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar.
The ambassador said he also informed Mr Patnaik about the anxiety of Mr Bosusco's family and friends, Italian administration and the foreign ministry over the issue.
"I also reiterated the anxiety of Bosusco's family and how eager they are to see that he is released soon, safe and unharmed," he said.
Mr Monteforte said the chief minister had informed him about the developments over the negotiations.
In keeping with the Maoists demands for the release of the hostage, the state government on Thursday announced the names of all the 27 prisoners it is willing to release.
Mr Bosusco (54) was abducted along with Mr Colangelo (61) by Maoists on March 14 in Kandhamal district. While Mr Colangelo was freed on March 25, Mr Bosusco continues to be in the captivity.