In Odisha, talks for the release of abducted Malkangiri District Collector RV Krishna and Junior Engineer PM Majhi will continue today. The negotiations in this regard between senior state government officials and Maoists' interlocutors Prof G Hargopal and Prof R Someswara Rao began in Bhubaneswar yesterday. A third mediator, social activist and trade union leader Dandapani Mohanty has also been roped-in in the process as demanded by the Maoists. Odisha Home Secretary Upendra Nath Behera and Information and Public Relations Secretary Surendra Nath Tripathy are representing the state government in the talks. Briefing a joint press conference, Home Secretary Behera said that one round of discussion has been held in a very congenial atmosphere. He said, the Odisha government will not carryout combing operation till the process of talks is not over and similarly Maoists will not take any action that could hamper the talks. AIR correspondent reports that the mediators have assured the Odisha government during the talks that Mr. Krishna and Mr. Majhi are safe and healthy.