CM issues fresh appeal for release of hostages

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday issued fresh appeal to the Maoists to release the two Italian hostages.Making a statement in the Assembly on the hostage crisis, the Chief Minister said, “Again I appeal to the Maoists to release the two Italian hostages. I hope they realise the anxiety of the hostages’ families who are so far away from our country.” Stating that several days have passed since their abduction and their families in Italy are distraught by their disappearance.Referring to the names proposed by the Maoists for talks, the Chief Minister said Narayan Sanyal has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Ganj PS case no.44/7 in Chhattisgarh under Sections 124 (a) and 120 (b) of Indian Penal Code. He has also been convicted for varying jail terms under Sections 8(1), 8(3) and 8(5) of the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act and Section 39(2) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.“Therefore, it is not possible to accept him as a mediator in the discussion process,” he said and added, “It is also learnt from media reports that Biswapriya Kanungo is not willing to participate in the discussions as a representative of the CPI (Maoist).”Stating that there is no objection to the participation of Dandapani Mohanty in the discussion, Naveen called upon the CPI (Maoist) leadership to suggest alternative names in place of Narayan Sanyal and Biswapriya Kanungo.Naveen announced that the three negotiators from the Government are UN Behera, Principal Secretary in the Home Department, PK Jena, Secretary in the Panchayati Raj Department and SK Sarangi, Secretary in the ST and SC Development Department.The Chief Minister said the negotiations would begin after the CPI (Maoist) gives two alternative names.