By IANS,
New Delhi : Amid uncertainty over the fate of the two Italians abducted by Maoists in Odisha, India Wednesday said it was making all efforts to ensure their safe release.
“We are in touch with the state government. The external affairs minister has spoken to the chief minister and requested for the safe release of the hostages,” Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told reporters here.
“We are making all necessary efforts to ensure the safe release of the abducted Italian nationals,” he said. “India hopes there will be a positive outcome.”
Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo were abducted by Maoists March 14 from Kandhamal district. The government and the rebels said the hostages were safe and in good health.
The Maoists have come up with 13 demands to set them free.
But negotiations with the Maoists are likely to be delyaed as it was not clear who would represent the guerrillas.
There has been almost no progress on the matter though a Maoist leader said they were ready to release one of the Italians if the state of Odisha accepted two of their key demands.
The caller, claiming to be Sunil, known as rebel leader Sabyasaachi Panda, urged the government to free five Maoists, including his wife Subhashree Panda, in exchange for an Italian.