Mediators threaten to withdraw as Odisha government fails to meet conditions

Maoist-backed mediators yesterday threatened to withdraw from negotiations for the release of an Italian tourist if the Odisha government failed to concede to Maoists' demands by evening today.

Italian national Bosusco Paolo, 54, continues to be in captivity of the rebels since 14 March after his abduction, along with another Italian, Claudio Colangelo, 61, from a forested area on the border of the state's Ganjam and Kandhamal district.

Colangelo was released by the Maoists, last Sunday as a 'goodwill gesture', even as three officials of the state government were engaged in talks with Maoist-backed mediators, Dandapani Mohanty and BD Sharma, to secure the release of Paolo.

According to Mohanty, Maoists were demanding  the release of around 20-25 people already declared innocent by courts but later booked on several charges, implementation of court orders to prosecute policemen responsible for custodial deaths and release of tribals booked on false charges.

"If the government does not concede to the three demands by Friday evening, we will withdraw from the negotiation. In that case the government will be held responsible for the consequences," he told reporters.

According to state chief secretary BK Patnaik, the government was examining the conditions placed by the Maoist-backed mediators.