Formal talks between Odisha Government and mediators, Prof Hargopal and Prof R Someswar Rao, started today at Bhubaneswar to release Malkangiri district magistrate and collector R Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Mohan Majhi abducted by Maoists. Odisha Home Secretary UN Behera and other senior officials are holding talks with both the negotiators over demands put forward by the Maoists for the release of Krishna and Majhi. The negotiators are also likely to meet Odisha Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik. Before the beginning of the talks, Prof Hargopal told media persons that they will not put any pressure either on the Maoists or the Odisha Government. He said they are at Bhubaneswar to hear from the Odisha Government's offer on the demands of the Maoists. He hoped a positive outcome from the talks and the problem settled amicably. Meanwhile, Malkangiri continues to be under a chaotic situation after the kidnapping of the district magistrate and collector. Both Maoists and local people have blocked roads by felling trees. No senior officials of the Odisha Government have visited the district to take stock of the situation.