Release 'innoncent' people: Maoist mediators tell govt

Maoist-nominated mediators on Monday refused to issue an appeal to the ultras for early release of a ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA and an Italian, held captive by different rebel groups, and instead asked Odisha government to release "innocent" people jailed on the charge of being Naxal.

"We will not appeal to Maoists for release of the MLA and the Italian national. The Maoists have already released one of the two Italians on Sunday. It is time for the government to release innocent innocent people lodged in different jails on humanitarian ground on humanitarian ground," mediators B D Sharma and Dandapani Mohanty said replying to a question.

The mediator duo, who resumed negotiations with the state government for the release of the Italian hostages, claimed they had earlier issued such an appeal after which Claudio Colangelo was freed by the ultras.

"As Maoists have already freed one hostage without any condition, the government should reciprocate it," Mohanty said alleging a large number of innocent people were languishing in different jails after being booked on the charge of being Maoists.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on the other hand, made at least three appeals during the day for safe release of MLA Jhina Hikaka and Italian national Paolo Bosusco.

Hikaka's wife Kausalya Majhi and her two minor sons were among the hundreds of people in the state who appealed to the rebels to release the MLA and the foreigner unharmed without any condition.

Besides rallies and peace marches, people also lit earthen lamps at different temples seeking safe release of the MLA and the Italian national.