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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | 'Maoists irked by Italians taking objectionable pictures of tribals'-Sandeep Mishra & Vishwa Mohan

'Maoists irked by Italians taking objectionable pictures of tribals'-Sandeep Mishra & Vishwa Mohan

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published Published on Mar 19, 2012   modified Modified on Mar 19, 2012

In the first instance of Maoists targeting foreigners, two Italian tourists were abducted in the forests bordering Orissa's Kandhamal-Ganjam districts. The kidnapping came to light late on Saturday night after the Maoists released two men abducted along with the Italians, Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo. 

The Maoists claim the four were kidnapped on March 14. This came to light only after the release of Sontosh Moharana and Kartik Parida with audio tapes of the Maoist leader, Sabyasachi Panda, along with a list of their demands, the main one being immediate cessation of anti-Maoist operations. 

The Centre asked its forces to stop anti-Maoist operations on Sunday, in consultation with the state government which has initiated back-channel efforts to get the tourists released. Indian officials also informed Italian embassy about the incident which comes at a time when ties between the two countries have come under stress over the killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian marines off the Kerala coast over a month ago. 

Foreign minister S M Krishna spoke to Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik and the Italian consul general in Kolkata, Joel Melchiori, met government officials here. 

Moharana is a cook and Parida a helper. The two were accompanying the Italians during their foray into the tribal territory. The Maoists have alleged the Italians were taking "objectionable pictures" of tribal women. 

"Around 30 Maoists took us hostage on March 14 morning when we were preparing food near a stream in Gazalbadi forests," Moharana told journalists in Puri, adding, "They blindfolded us and made us walk for about five km. The Maoists did not cause any harm to us and treated us well." 

Kandhamal SP Jayanarayan Pankaj told TOI, "We have information that the foreigners are safe. We hope the Maoists would release them soon." 

In the audio tapes circulated to TV channels, the Maoist leader Panda, who is secretary, Orissa State Organising Committee, said the foreigners were kidnapped while taking "objectionable photographs of tribals" in remote areas despite a government ban. 

The cops doubted these claims, saying they had gathered information that Paolo was into trekking, but not photography. "Moreover, Kandhamal does not have semi-nude tribals, whose photography can raise objections," a cop added. 

Sources said the state government had roped in Dandapani Mohanty, convener of the Jana Adhikar Manch, and others to mediate with the rebels. Mohanty, one of three interlocutors who negotiated Krishna's release, appealed to the Maoists to extend the deadline to allow the government time to stop the operations, and said he was willing to mediate if both sides approached him. Official sources said the government was waiting for Maoists to suggest interlocutors. 

Naveen condemned the kidnapping and appealed for the release of the foreigners on humanitarian grounds. "The Orissa government is open to any kind of negotiation with the kidnappers under the law," he said. "I reiterate my appeal to the Left-wing extremists not to take any drastic step. I also condemn this heinous crime. No one will condone such act in a civil society," he added. 

Police sources said the Italians, Moharana and Parida reached Daringbadi on March 12 and ventured into the forest. Their driver, Debendra Mohapatra, dropped the guests and returned. Paolo has been staying in Puri for the last 19 years and is associated with a private tour agency, Odisha Adventure Trekking. He speaks decent Oriya, police sources added. "Paolo has been frequently taking foreigners on trekking trips to Kandhamal and other areas," said a cop. 

The CRPF personnel have been asked not to go for combing operations in the tribal-dominated Kandhamal-Ganjam region where the two Italians -- Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo -- were abducted, officials here said the forces would not leave the area. 

Officials here believe that the abduction was done at Panda's behest. He has lost ground among cadres in the state due to his virtual shunning by ultras from the powerful Andhra Pradeshgroup. 

"The abduction could be an attempt to regain his position and try to bargain for release of his wife Subhasree Das alias Mili Panda along with others from jail," said a senior official said.

The Times of India, 19 March, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maoists-irked-by-Italians-taking-objectionable-pictures-of-tribals/articleshow/12323053.cms


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