State winds up talks on Paolos release

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Saturday refused to concede the demands of Maoists seeking release of more prisoners in exchange for setting Italian Paolo Bosusco free. The State Government thus brought an end to the discussions with the interlocutors by issuing a joint Press statement in which fresh appeals for the Italian’s safe return were sent out. A day after Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI(Maoist) warned of extreme action if a signed agreement was not issued over release of seven prisoners and fulfilment of other demands, the Government stuck to its gun which was evident from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s statement in the Assembly and reflected in the joint statement. Signed by the two Maoist interlocutors, B D Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty, and the three IAS officers, including Home Secretary U N Behera, Panchayati Raj Secretary P K Jena and SC and ST Development Secretary Santosh Sarangi, the statement appealed to the Maoist Party to release Paolo immediately, unhurt and in good health. “We have concluded the discussions and hope they will release Paolo soon,” Behera said and informed that a copy of the joint statement will be sent by the Maoist interlocutors to Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the State Committee of the CPI (Maoist). However, there was no word yet on when Paolo is likely to be freed. The two Maoist interlocutors said the response of the Maoist is awaited on the joint statement. Asked if a time-frame has been fixed to release the prisoners, the Home Secretary said the issue was discussed. Though the Government seems to have put its foot down, sources say that Paolo is unlikely to be freed before April 10, the deadline set by the CPI(Maoist). On the same day, a local court will deliver its judgment in a case relating to Subhashree Das, one of the five prisoners the Government has promised to release.