Odisha Hostage Crisis

• Maoists kidnap Collector in Chhattisgarh; two security guards killed

  As the hostage crisis involving an MLA in Odisha continues, Maoists today abducted a Collector in Sukma in Chhattisgarh. Two security guards accompanying him were killed in the incident.

• Odisha MLA abduction: Court notices to Centre, state on Maoists' release

  The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre and the Odisha government on a petition seeking to restrain the release of jailed Maoists in exchange for captive Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jina Hikaka.

• Odisha hostage crisis: Govt decides to withdraw cases against 13 prisoners

  With the deadline set by the Maoists in Odisha holding BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka hostage ending today, his fate still remained unknown despite the state government's decision to seriously consider withdrawal of prosecution in "suitable cases" involving jailed rebels if the ultras free the legislator.

• Odisha MLA hostage crisis: Maoists extend deadline to April 18

  The fate of the tribal MLA abducted by Maoists in Odisha continues to hang in the balance. The ultras have further extended the deadline to April 18 for the state government to release 29 prisoners in return for setting free ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA, Jhina Hikaka.

• Naveen Patnaik meets abducted MLA's family

  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited abducted Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka's home in Laxmipur on Friday. The visit came 22 days after the MLA was kidnapped by Maoists.

• Odisha MLA kidnapping: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Koraput for high-level meet

  Even as Maoists in Odisha freed Italian national Paolo Bosusco after keeping him captive for nearly a month yesterday, the hostage crisis is still far from over with abducted tribal MLA Jhina Hikaka continuing to be held captive by another faction of the Maoists.

• Happy being a free man, says Italian Paolo Bosusco after being released by Maoists

  After spending 29 days in captivity, Paolo Bosusco, the Italian national abducted by Maoists in Odisha, finally walked free today. Mr Bosusco was handed over by the Maoists to Dandapani Mohanty, one of the mediators appointed by them for negotiating with the state government for the Italian's release, and some journalists in the forests of the trib...

• Maoists free Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco

  After 29 days in hostage Paolo Bosusco, held hostage by the Odisha unit of the Maoist party has been released.

• Odisha hostage crisis: Maoists refuse to free MLA

  Maoists holding BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka on Wednesday refused to free him unless 30 rebels, including one accused of killing 55 policemen, were released, while another group which abducted Italian Paolo Bosusco said it was awaiting the agreement struck with the government.

• Odisha hostage crisis: Will release Paolo Bosusco through a democratic process, says Sabyasachi Panda

  In a fresh audio message released today, Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda has said Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco, who has been in his captivity for close to a month, will be released through a "democratic process". Mr Panda also says that he has received a copy of the joint statement signed by the Odisha government and the Maoist-appointed mediators,...

• Odisha hostage crisis: Court acquits Maoist leader's wife; Govt talks tough

  Subhashri Das, also known as Mili Panda, wife of top Odisha Maoist Sabyasachi Panda has been acquitted by a fast track court in Gunupur in Odisha's Rayagada district. The court has cleared her of all charges in a case that accused her of taking part in a Maoist armed attack on the police in Kutinguda jungle in Gudari block of Odisha's Rayagada dist...

• Odisha hostage crisis: Maoist leader's wife acquitted by court

  Subhashri Das, also known as Mili Panda, wife of top Odisha Maoist Sabyasachi Panda has been acquitted by a fast track court in Gunupur in Odisha's Rayagada district. The court has cleared her of all charges in a case that accused her of taking part in a Maoist armed attack on the police in Kutinguda jungle in Gudari block of Odisha's Rayagada dist...

• Odisha hostage crisis: Deadline ends today; govt talks tough

  With the deadline given by Maoists in Odisha for the release of two hostages, Italian national Paolo Bosusco and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jhina Hikaka set to end today, the state government has toughened its stand. Last night, three senior officials including the state Home Secretary, who were involved in the negotiations to free the Italian hosta...

• Odisha hostage crisis: Police threaten boycott if hardcore Maoists freed

  Adding to the woes of the government, the police force of Odisha today threatened to boycott anti-Naxal operations if hardcore Maoists are freed by the state government in a bid to end the twin hostage crisis which escalated with the abductors setting new demands before their deadline expires on Tuesday.

• Centre wants to set guidelines to deal with hostage crises

  Faced with the hostage situation in Odisha, the Centre is planning to seek cooperation from all states in preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with any crisis arising out of kidnapping.