Odisha: Talks end, hopes begin for release of kidnapped Italian

Bhubaneswar: Talks for the release of the Italian national have come to an end with the two mediators BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty appealing to the Maoists to release the Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco. The mediators have expressed hope that the Odisha government will consider the 13-point demand made by the Maoists expeditiously.

The mediators have also said that they would come for further negotiations when the government wants them to.

Talking about the progress made during the negotiations with the government, Maoist-nominated chief co-ordinator BD Sharma said: "We appreciate the state's effort for taking a serious view of complex issues that are plaguing the tribal areas. We will be happy if the most important chapter concerning justice begins with withdrawal of cases against those who are struggling for their legitimate rights as citizens."

Mr Sharma also appealed to the Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI (Maoist) to liberate the misguided Italian in the business of tourism on basic human considerations.

Reiterating the demands made by the Maoists, Mr Sharma said: "We will be happy if the Government takes up the 13-point agenda in a broader perspective from people's end imbued with the real spirit of self-governance in terms of their inalienable basic human rights."

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Earlier, the three senior officers negotiating on behalf of the state government had a meeting with the mediators and apprised them of the latest situation. "We came to meet them and apprise them that their demands are under examination," Odisha Home Secretary, UN Behera said.

Expressing hope that the Maoists would pay heed to the government's appeal and release the Italian hostage soon, Mr Sharma said," I hope if they have any respect for our word, they should do that. "

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According to reliable sources, although neither the state government nor the mediators have shared it in public, there has been some kind of an understanding between the two parties in regard to the quid pro quo, especially the release of some political prisoners in exchange for the Italian national. And if things work out, Paolo Bosusco would soon be walking out of the Maoists' jungle camp.