Bhubaneswar: Continuing its efforts to secure the release of abducted Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna, the Orissa government Thursday rushed two mediators to Malkangiri district to negotiate with the Maoists, official sources here said.
G. Haragopal and Dandapani Mohanty were flown in a state helicopter.
"They will land in Koraput and go to an undisclosed area and interact with the Maoists," the source said.
R. Vineel Krishna continued to be in Maoist custody for the eighth day Thursday even as Orissa intensified efforts for his release by evening, the original deadline of his release set by his abductors.
The rebels Wednesday put forward new conditions, including setting free some more Maoists, within hours of releasing Pabitra Mohan Majhi, the junior engineer who was abducted along with Krishna Feb 16.