Two Italian tourists have been reportedly taken hostage by Maoists in Kandhamal district of Odisha, reports said.
Though police has not confirmed this news, an audio tape sent by Odisha’s top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda confirms the abduction.
In the audio release sent to media houses, the Maoists have issued a deadline to the state and central government to stop all combing operations in the state by Sunday evening.
In the audio release, the Maoists have listed 13-point demands and wanted the state government to act on those demands. The demand includes the release of “political prisoners” and a halt to Operation greenhunt.
The audio tape issued by Maoists alleges that the two Italian tourists were clicking objectionable photographs of Tribals.
This is the first ever abduction of foreign tourists by Maoists.
–Agencies