Naxals release Italian hostage, BJD MLA still in custody

Italian national Paolo Bosusco was freed by the Naxals on Thursday, after nearly a month of captivity bringing some relief to the state government.

The hostage crisis, however, is only half resolved as the BJD MLA from Laxmipur, Jhina Hikaka, is still in the custody of a separate group of rebels belonging to the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist).

Bosusco (54), who was abducted by the ultras belonging to the Odisha State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist) on March 14 along with his compatriot Claudio Colangelo while trekking in a forest area in Daringibadi, has been set free two days after Subhashree Das, wife of top Naxal leader Sabyasachi Panda, was acquitted on Tuesday. Colangelo was released on March 25.

 

Bosusco was handed over by the Naxals to Dandapani Mohanty, one of the two mediators of the ultras engaged in talks with state officials.

The Italian, who runs an adventure tourism agency in Puri, was brought here to the state guest house after his release. Bosusco said, he was treated well by the Naxals.

“Odisha will always have a special place in my heart. I am grateful for all the love and affection showered on me during my nearly 22-year stay here,” he said.

Bosusco said, he would return to Italy but was not sure if he would come back to Odisha again.

Reacting to the news of Bosusco's release, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We are relieved and happy that the second Italian hostage- Paolo Bosusco has been released. However, our young MLA (Jhina Hikaka) is still in the custody of the Naxals. I appeal to the Naxals to release him immediately, unharmed and in good health.” The three state officials - home secretary U N Behera, panchayati raj secretary P K Jena and tribal affairs secretary Santosh Sarangi engaged in talks with the Naxal mediators said, action would be taken against Bosusco (who was living in Puri) if he was found to be involved in any unlawful activity.

“The state government once again appeals to the abductors of the MLA Jhina Hikaka to release him immediately unhurt and in good health,” Behera told media persons.