Indian rebels have offered to release one of two abducted Italians if authorities accept some of their demands, media reports and officials said Wednesday. Rebel leader Sabyasachi Panda demanded officials of the Orissa state government release five Maoists, including his wife Subhashree Panda, in exchange for one hostage, the IANS news agency reported.
In a message sent to local journalists, Panda also demanded action against officers responsible for alleged killings of insurgents and rapes in the state, the report said. Paolo Bosusco, 54, and Claudio Colangelo, 61, were reportedly captured in Orissa's Kandhamal district Saturday. Some local residents taken captive by the rebels but released later said the abductions happened on March 14.
It was the first time that foreign nationals have been abducted by left-wing rebels in the country. "They have not communicated these demands to us directly. We have heard about this message sent to news outlets," Orissa Home Secretary UN Behera said. "Until they nominate someone, it is difficult to begin talks," Behera said by telephone from state capital Bhubaneshwar. Bosusco had been living in the region for many years and was known to escort tourists to tribal areas of Orissa. He and Colangelo, who had recently arrived in India, were trekking when they were kidnapped.
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