Bhubaneswar:
The Government of Odisha has decided to release 23 prisoners, eight of who are Maoists. This was a pre-condition for the release of Italian national, Bosusco Paolo, who has been kept hostage by the Maoists in the state since March 14 and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka.
Soon after the cabinet meeting this evening, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that considering the safety of the abducted tribal MLA, the government has decided to facilitate the release of the 23 prisoners. The names of these under-trial prisoners, who are lodged in different jails in the state, will be announced on Thursday.
Mr Paolo was kidnapped along with fellow Italian named Clandio Colangilo on March 14. The latter was released to journalists by the Maoists eleven days later. Meanwhile, Mr Hikaka, legislator from Laxmipur, was kidanapped on March 25 when he was returning home from Koraput. While his personal security officer (PSO) and driver were allowed to leave, Mr Hikaka was taken away into the nearby forest by the ultras at gunpoint.
The two Italian nationals were abducted from the border of Ganjam and communally sensitive Kandhamal district on March 14. The 13 demands the rebels set for their release include a ban on the visit of tourists to the tribal areas; halt on anti-Maoist operations and release of several prisoners.