Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has appealed the Left wing extremists to immediately release the two Italian tourists on humanitarian grounds. He said, government is open to any kind of negotiation with the kidnappers under the law.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik. The Chief Minister briefed him about the efforts being made by the State government in securing the early release of the two Italians.

Minister of External Affairs, S.M. Krishna is in touch with Italy to facilitate assistance through the authorities concerned and is keeping it informed about the latest developments.
The two Italian tourists were abducted in the tribal dominated Ganjam district bordering Kandamal last night demanding an immediate halt to operations against them by the security forces. They have been identified as Bosusco Paolo functioning as tour operator in Puri and Claudio Colangelo who were on a trekking tour.

The Maoists have put up a 13 point charter of demands before the Odisha government. They have given the government a deadline till tomorrow evening to meet their demands.