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Though the government of Orissa state in eastern India intensified search for two Italian tourists abducted by the Naxal rebels, the government had no clue Monday about their whereabout.
State Home Secretary Behera said the government was taking all necessary steps for the release of Bosusco Paolo, 54, and Claudio Colangelo, 61, who were kidnapped on March 14. However, the Naxals claimed the kidnapping Saturday night and set down 13 conditions for their release.
"We have so far not received any communication from them ( Naxals)," Behera said.
Asked if the government was conducting any search operation to locate the hostages or planning to halt anti-Naxal operation, a condition the rebels have set to start dialogue, Behera said: "I will not be able to tell you that."
Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik said Sunday that the government was open for talks with the rebels.
Two eyewitnesses, who had accompanied the Italians, narrated the incident before police Sunday.
Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo went along with two Indians, Santosh Moharana and Kartika Parida, both residents of Puri, to Kandhamal district on March 12 on a four-day trekking trip.
On March 14 morning, about six or seven gunmen took the four to the forest after tying their hands and covering their eyes with a cloth.
The rebels released Kartik and Santosh on March 16 but held the Italians hostage.
Naxal leader Sabyasachi Panda, in an audio message sent to local media early Sunday, said the tourists were kidnapped after they were found taking "objectionable" photographs of some tribal women near a rivulet.
They demanded that the government fulfil their demands including halting anti-Naxal operation, scrapping accords with multi-national corporations for land transfer and projects, compensation for the families of Naxal sympathizers dead in police custody and release of about 600 prisoners.
The rebels also demanded release of all anti-displacement leaders who have been arrested for raising their voices against various industrial projects.
The latest abduction was the first case of foreigners being abducted by rebels in the state.
Naxals are active in more than half of the state's 30 districts and the district of Kandhamal is considered a stronghold. |
