Bhubaneswar:
After 29 days in captivity, Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco has been released by the Odisha unit of the Maoist party.
Yesterday, in an audio message, Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda said that Mr Bosusco will be released through a "democratic process". Mr Panda had also said that he had received a copy of the joint statement signed by the Odisha government and the Maoist-appointed mediators, which was one of the preconditions for the release of the Italian national.
Mr Bosusco, a 51-year-old tour operator was taken hostage by the Maoists on March 14 alongwith compatriot Claudio Colangelo, a tourist. Even as Mr Colangelo was allowed to go, Mr Bosusco continued to be held captive with the Maoists remaining firm on the charter of demands.