Bhubaneswar: There has been no breakthrough in the talks between the Odisha government and Maoists in connection with the abduction of two Italian nationals in the state. The Naxals have now asked the government to make jailed Maoists Amit Baghci or Kobad Gandhi a negotiator.
The negotiations will continue on Friday.
The talks between Maoist mediators and Odisha government representatives began on Thursday to resolve the eight-day old crisis triggered by the ultras taking two Italians hostage.
The negotiation began shortly after the arrival of former bureaucrat and social activist B D Sharma, one of the nominees of the Maoists to hold talks with state government mediators, official sources said.
Civil rights activist Dandapani Mohanty also joined the talks on behalf of the rebels, who had taken Italians, Puri-based tour operator Paolo Bosusco and tourist Claudio Colangelo, hostage while they were trekking in Kandhamal district on March 14.
The negotiations began without a third mediator from the rebel side as Maoists did not want to wait.
The state government was represented by Principal Secretary (Home) U N Behera, Panchayatiraj Secretary P K Jena and Secretary in ST and SC Department S K Sarangi.
(With Additional Inputs from PTI)
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