Berhampur: Dandapani Mohanty,
one of the three interlocutors who negotiated between Maoists
and the Odisha government for release of then Malkanagiri
collector R Vinnel Krishna last year, has offered to
negotiate for release of two abducted Italians if asked.
"I am ready to negotiate, but the appeal should come
from both sides - Odisha government and the Maoists," Mohanty,
convenor of Jana Adhikar Manch (JAM) said.
Appealing the ultras not to harm the Italians, he also
urged the state government to intervene in the matter
immediately.
Four persons, including two Italians were abducted by
Maoists from Kandhamal while they were on tour of Daringibadi,
a tourist spot in the district.
They set free the cook and driver accompanying them.
The Maoists have demanded halt to combing operation,
release of people arrested on charge of being Maoists and
discussion on their 13-point demands made during negotiations
with the government for release of in February last year,
Mohanty said.
The government had agreed to implement the demands
after a prolonged discussion, but most of them were yet to be
implemented. "Let the government clarify its stand," he said.
Besides Mohanty, other two mediators - Prof Haragopal
and R S Rao from Andhra Pradesh - had negotiated with the
government for about a week to reach on an agreement. Rao has
since passed away.
PTI
