Talks for release of two abducted Italians between Odisha government and the interlocutors have resumed at Bhubaneswar amidst tight security. The talks remained inconclusive on Thursday.

While the government side is represented by the Home Secretary U N Behera , Panchayatraj Secretary P K Jena and SCs and STs Secretary Santosh Sarangi , the Maoist side is being represented by noted social activist Danapani Mohanty and retired bureaucrat B D Sharma. One of the two interlocutor B D Sharma told reporters that the foreign hostages are safe while another interlocutor Shri Dandapani Mohanty said the Maoist would release at least one foreign national if the state government fulfills two of their immediate demands.

This includes release of some Maoist cadres from jail and strict action against police officials engaged in fake encounter and slapping false cases against cadres.