Bishop of Orissa: We pray for a soon and safe release of Maoist hostages
Bhubaneshwar
(AsiaNews) - "The Church in Orissa is pleased at the news of the imminent
release of the hostages in the hands of the Maoists. In these difficult days,
our prayers are directed to a safe resolution of the case", says Msgr. John
Barwa, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, commenting to AsiaNews on the latest developments in the kidnapping of two
Italian hostages and an Indian MP by the rebels. Late
yesterday afternoon, the Orissa government granted the release of 23 prisoners
in exchange for the release of Paolo Bosusco, the tour guide kidnapped on March
14 with Claudio Colangelo and Jhina Hikaka, of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD ). Colangelo was released
by Maoists on March 25.
The
Maoist prisoners should be released today, but authorities have not yet
revealed the names. "The
state government - said Naveen Patnaik, chief minister of Orissa, in a written
statement - has decided to accelerate the release of 15 members of the Chasi Mulia Adibasi Sangha and eight elements of the extreme left."
Patnaik
has also canceled a scheduled trip to Tamil Nadu, to follow the developments of
the case: "Although this visit was scheduled for some time, the situation
is evolving and it is right that I stay in Orissa."
The
Chasi Mulia Adibasi Sangha is an
organization of peasants and workers, suspected by authorities of having links
with Maoists. The
members of the association, mostly tribals, have always denied any involvement.
"In
this Holy Week - concluded Msgr. Barwa - we pray that the Lord's peace, justice
and truth will prevail."
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