Bhubaneswar: In a shocking development, the Maoists have abducted two Italian tourists in Odisha's Kandhamal district, sending shockwaves across the country. The Maoists have reportedly listed 13 demands and set a deadline for Sunday to fulfill those.

 

The tourists were taken hostage on the borders of Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. According to local media reports, Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda was behind the abduction of foreign tourists.

 

The Maoists had reportedly four people initially. Later, they released the two people from Puri, who accompanied the tourists, but detained the foreign tourists.

 

It was alleged that the tour operator who took the foreign tourists on a tour, violated the guidelines stipulated by the government while moving in the Maoist-infested area.

 

Some local TV channels in Odisha confirmed the presence of an audio tape, which listed 13 demands before the state government to release the tourists. The tape also sought a halt to combing operations in Odisha. A local TV channel in Odisha claimed that the Italians were abducted when they were taking photographs of local women bathing in a river.

 

The state machinery has swung into action following the latest development. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called a high level meeting to take stock of the situation.

 

One of the Italians abducted by the Maoists was identified as Paolo, who has been living in Puri for 12-15 years. He is running an adventure tourism company, which is said to be illegal.

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