The local Ntdv reports news. No confirmation from Italy or Orissa. Crisis further complicated after the kidnapping of a Hindu nationalist MP. Maoists expected to name new mediators.

Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - Maoist rebels have released Claudio Colangelo, one of two Italian tourists kidnapped last week in the district of Kandhamal. The news was given by Indian Ndtv, which last night announced the release of both. Colangelo - abducted along with Palo Bususco - has apparently been delivered into the hands of one of the stations' journalist, near the village of Tanuja in Daringbadi.

Also according to information from NDTV, Colangelo, who suffers from malaria, said that he would soon call his family in Italy. Meanwhile, neither the Italian government nor the Indian confirm the release.

The hostage crisis became more complicated after the kidnapping yesterday of Jhina Hikaka, a Hindu nationalist MP in Orissa, in contravention of the agreement that during the negotiations between the Maoists and the government there would be a halt to violence from communist rebels.

BD Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, mediators appointed by the Maoists, have decided to suspend all negotiations due to "unfortunate incidents that harm the peace." The Governor of Orissa (chief minister), Naveen Patnaik, has asked the Maoists to appoint two mediators, but so far there has been no response.

For the experts, the kidnappers of the Italians and MP belong to different groups, the first concentrated in the district of Kandhamal, the others in Malkangiri.

Yesterday  popular demonstrations were held in various cities in Orissa demanding the release of Hikaka and two Italians (see photo).

 

 

• INDIA - ITALY Orissa
• Maoists Italians kidnap MP hindu Claudio Colangelo