Odisha government ready to resume negotiation with Maoists: Naveen Patnaik

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today his government would like to resume negotiation with the Maoist-nominated mediators to secure release of the other Italian still held captive by the ultras.

Patnaik expressed happiness at the release of one of the two Italians, 61-year-old Claudio Colangelo.

"I am glad to know that they have released one of the two Italian nationals," he told reporters.

He hoped that 54-year-old Puri-based tour operator Paolo Bosusco would also be freed from captivity.

Abduction of a BJD MLA by another group of Maoists had led to suspension of the negotiation between the state government and the Maoist-nominated mediators.

Patnaik, who had earlier appealed to the Maoists to release the Italians, said his government was taking steps for the release of Paolo and BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka in Koraput district.

While the Italian duo were abducted on March 14, the ultras kidnapped Hikaka at gun point on March 24.