Odisha Govt says state examining audio tape released by Maoists: Maoists Refuse to Release Second Italian, Serve Ultimatum

Odisha Govt says state examining audio tape released by Maoists: Maoists Refuse to Release Second Italian, Serve Ultimatum 07/04/2012

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA, BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS, ODISHA

ODISHA NEWS/BHUBANESWAR

Rejecting State Government’s offer to release 27 prisoners, including eight Maoists to secure the release of Italian tour operator Bosusco Paolo and Biju Janata Dal legislator Jhina Hikaka, Maoists today refused to release Paolo, who has been under their captivity since March 14.

Sabyasachi Panda, a rebel leader known as Sunil, who has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the Italians, in his latest audio message today, said that the list of prisoners proposed to be freed for securing the release of the Italian national was unacceptable and reiterated that they would be compelled to take ‘extreme step’ against the Italian national, if the Government fails to concede their demands by Tuesday.

Panda in his audio message earlier had demanded immediate release of seven persons, including his wife Subhashree Das alias Mili Panda for Bosusco’s release.

Although Subhashree’s name is figured in the list of persons, proposed to be freed, he said the government’s list excluded the names of many others whose release had been demanded.

Apart from this he also described the talks between the mediators and the Government as “farce” as no clear-cut decision had been taken on the 13 demands made for the release of Bosusco and said that the Italian will not be released.

Meanwhile, the group of ultras who abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka on March 24, who on Thursday had announced the extension of deadline to Saturday for fulfilment of all their demands, are yet to respond to the offer.

While Home Secretary UN Behera who led the Government side said they apprised the Maoist mediators regarding the official announcement, both the Maoists’ interlocutors sought to know from the Government what they meant by “steps to facilitate release” of the prisoners. Talking to newsmen, Dandapani Mohanty asserted that the talks were continuing but they wanted to know as to how the Government was moving to “facilitate the release”.


Mohanty said after the Chief Minister’s announcement, they were awaiting a response from the Maoists.


“We do not have any suggestions or objections at the moment, we are examining the Government’s swapping offer. It is the Maoists who have to respond,” he said, putting a question, “When we had given names of nine prisoners, how could the Government announce four names?”

Stating that they would take the next step only after the response of the Maoists was available, Dr Sharma said, “We are concerned about the release of the Italian.”

Howerver, the mediators made a fresh appeal to both the factions of Maoists to release the Italian national and the MLA as well.

On the other hand, there appeared to be progress in the process of release of the tribal MLA, Jhina Hikaka, who was under the captivity of the Koraput faction of Maoists. The Red rebels as well as the CMAS seemed to be cool to the Government’s generous announcement.