One Italian freed, fate of other Italian and MLA unknown

PTI

Bhubaneswar, 25 March 2012: One of the two Italians abducted by Maoists, tourist Claudio Colangelo, was today released unharmed by ultras, 11 days after being taken hostage in Kandhamal district, while his compatriot was still held captive by the rebels.

 

A visibly relieved 61-year-old Colangelo, who was handed over to a group of media personnel by the Maoists, told reporters, "it was frightening".

 

Colangelo said he has spoken to his wife and his entire family has heaved a sigh of relief over his being freed by the left-wing extremists.

 

He denied reports that photographs of tribals were being taken by them when the Maoists captured them. "No photographs were being taken."

 

On reports that police had warned them against entering the jungles, he said on the contrary, "we went in only after police allowed us".

 

He said the other Italian, 54-year-old Puri-based tour operator Paolo Bosusco, was with him in a Maoist camp this morning. "We have to pray for him and see that he too returns safely," he said.

 

Colangelo’s release was confirmed by Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.

 

Kandhamal Superintendent of police J N Pankaj said Colangelo was handed over to journalists in Tanjingia area near Daringbadi town in the tribal-dominated Kandhamal district from where he was taken away on March 14.

 

He was taken to Sorada in Ganjam district from where the tourist is likely to be brought here.

 

Home Secretary U N Behera said Colangelo called him up and spoke to him soon after being released by the Maoists.

 

"Colangelo told me that he was set free and that he was in good health and unharmed," Behera said.

 

Bosusco was still being held captive by the Maoists, the home secretary said.

 

A top leader of the Odisha State Organising Committee of Maoists told a private TV channel that the release was made as a goodwill gesture.

 

Colangelo said, "They have treated us the best they could. I don’t want to get into politics ... I leave it to the professionals."

 

He said he and Bosusco were bathing in a river when four persons came and seized them.

 

There was, however, no information on tribal BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka who was abducted by armed Maoists near Toyaput in Koraput district in early hours yesterday at Laxmipur while returning home from Koraput.