In Odisha, Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco has been released by the Maoists today. He was abducted along with his countryman Claudio Colangelo by the Naxals in Odisha's Kandhamal district 29 days ago.
Bosusco was handed over by the Maoists to their mediator Dandapani Mohanty and some journalists in the forest of tribal-dominated Kandhamal district bordering Gajapati and Ganjam.
Bosusco, a Puri-based Italian tour operator, had been abducted along with tourist Colangelo from his country on March 14 while trekking in the forests of Daringbadi area in Kandhamal district.The Italian national was brought to the state capital in the company of mediapersons and Mohanty who, along with B D Sharma, negotiated with three Odisha government representatives for his release. Speaking after his release Bosusco told reporters that he was very happy being a free man now.His release came two days after top Maoist leader of Odisha State Organising Committee (OSOC) Sabyasachi Panda's wife Subhashree Panda alias Mili Panda was released from jail following her acquittal by a Gunupur court in an encounter
case of 2004.
Meanwhile, efforts are on to seek safe and secure release of abducted ruling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka. Maoists are pressing to release 30 detenus in his exchange.