No clues about hostages whereabouts

BHUBANESWAR: More than 24 hours after the abduction of the two Italian nationals by Maoists in Daringbadi area of Kandhamal, the State Government is still groping in the dark about the whereabouts of the hostages. “We still do not have information about their exact location,” Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik told mediapersons here on Sunday after a meeting with Consul General of Italy Joel Melchiori.   Asked has the State Government appointed any person to negotiate with the Left-wing extremists (LWEs) for the release of the Italian nationals, the Chief Secretary said the State Government would take a decision after getting the Maoists’ response. Bijay said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has issued an appeal to the Maoists to release the Italians. “We are still waiting for their response,” he said. Asked whether the Maoists have made any demand for the release of the hostages, Bijay said the State Government has not received any such demand. There is also no proposal from them for talks so far, he said. The Chief Secretary said the Government has announced its readiness to hold talks with the Maoists for immediate release of the hostages. He parried a question on whether the State Government has taken a decision to suspend combing operation as demanded by the rebels. During the abduction of the then Malkangiri collector Vineel Krishna in 2011, the Maoists had named their negotiators with whom the Government side held negotiations. But no such move has been made from either side as yet. Earlier, Naveen had condemned the kidnapping and appealed to them to release the Italian nationals immediately on humanitarian grounds. Describing the kidnapping as a heinous act, Naveen said this can’t be condoned by any civilised society. The State Government has already informed the External Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Home Affairs about the developments. The Home Ministry, which is constantly monitoring the situation, has promised all help to the State Government for the release of the hostages. The Chief Minister announced that the Government was open to discussion with the Maoists as per the law.