Maoists on Sunday claimed to have abducted two Italian tourists in Odisha. Police are verifying if the incident is true.
The Maoists, in an audio message in the wee hours of Sunday, said the tourists were kidnapped at the border of Ganjam and communally sensitive Kandhamal district.
A Maoist calling himself Sabyasachi Panda said, "We have imprisoned two Italian tourists." He said the tourists would be released only after the government stopped anti-rebel operations and initiated dialogue with them.