The talks between the three government secretaries led by home secretary Upendra Nath Behera and Maoist interlocutors B.D. Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty to free Basusco Paulo, the second Italian being held hostage in the forests of Kandhamal, and BJD MLA began in the morning and again continued in post-noon session.
The Centre, which closely monitored the developments in Orissa on Monday is hoping that the Italian and the BJD MLA will be freed soon. The Central security forces have been kept ready to launch rescue operations but home ministry officials said the state government, which is holding negotiations with Maoists, has not asked for any help. “The state government hopes to achieve positive results through the negotiations soon,” an official said. Union home secretary R.K. Singh is keeping constant touch with the chief secretary and DGP of Orissa.
“We resumed talks in a very cordial atmosphere and I hope we will very soon reach an agreement,” interlocutor Dandapani Mohanty told reporters after the first session of the discussion. The interlocutors had earlier announced suspension of the talks following killing of Mudulipada police officer K.C. Rath on March 19 and abduction of Laxmipur MLA, Mr Jhina Hikaka.
The abduction of Mr Hikaka has divided the Maoists ranks , top security officials said, adding that any move to hurt him will prove counter-productive to the Maoists. “Hikaka is more of a social worker than a politician. He enjoys a lot of public support,” an MHA official said.
On Saturday, the rebels of Kandhamal-Ghumusar Divisional Committee had released Italian tourist Claudio Paolo while they held back his compatriot Basusco Paolo.