India on Wednesday said necessary steps are being taken to ensure early release of two Italians kidnapped by Maoists in Odisha. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told reporters in New Delhi that state government has set up a crisis management group to deal with the situation.
He said Odisha Government has already made an offer of negotiations with the captors apart from making an appeal for the release of the two hostages.

Meanwhile, the fate of two Italians abducted continues to be uncertain. The deadlock over selection of negotiators for talks between the Odisha Government and Maoists is on.
Social activist Prafulla Samantra whose name has been proposed by the Maoists as negotiator has expressed his unwillingness to participate in the negotiation process. However, another mediator from Maoists, Dr BD Sharma has agreed to negotiate and is arriving at Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
The Italian Ambassador to India spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday over phone and expressed his concern about the safety and health of the two abducted Italians. Union Home Minister Mr.P.Chidambaram said he talked to the Odisha Home Secretary over the issue.

Maoists holding the Italians hostage have issued a list of 13 demands which include a ban on tourists visiting tribal areas and of the governments anti Maoists operation. Apart from release of their leaders.

AIR correspondent quoting state government sources reports that the Maoists have agreed to release one of the Italian nationals from their captivities.

The issue of negotiators with the Maoists is yet to be resolved with chief minister rejecting name of one of the nominees for holding talks.