Bhubaneswar: Slamming the Odisha
government for the abduction of two Italian nationals by
Maoists, Opposition on Monday sought to know under what
circumstances one of them has been staying in Puri for nearly
two decades and running a travel agency.
Raising the issue in the state assembly, Leader of
Opposition Bhupinder Singh asked the government to inform the
people about the status of passport and visa of the two
Italians, particularly Paolo Bosusco who has been staying in
Puri for the past 19 years.
Claiming that the kidnapping took place with the
knowledge of the government, Singh sought to know whether any
step had been taken for preventing its recurrence and securing
safe release of two hostages.
The senior Congress leader sought to know whether
there were any restrictions for foreign nationals in visiting
certain places in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district from
where the two were abducted on March 14.
BJPLP leader KV Singhdeo lashed out at the Naveen
Patnaik government for failing to implement security
guidelines prepared after the kidnap of Malkangiri district
collector by RV Krishna by Maoists last year.
"It is surprising that such incidents always take place
during the budget session of the assembly," he said and
wondered whether there was any design behind such incidents to
divert the people`s attention.
Krishna too had been abducted by the red rebels during
the budget session last year, he added.
PTI
