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He is among 7 rebels who gave up arms after announcement of rehab package. Koushik Dutta reports.

Recent high profile abductions have left officials in Maoist-affected states in a tough spot - venture out and face Red reprisals or stay put behind security fences and neglect work at the cost of development. HT reports.

'We don't want to keep Menon anymore,' says two-page letter signed by rebel interlocutors. Ejaz Kaiser reports. Breakthrough

Kidnapped on 21st April, the Sukma collector is said to be in good condition. The rebels have demanded release of 17 naxals. Ejaz Kaiser reports.

Second round of talks inconclusive; Sukma collector spends seventh day in Maoist captivity. Ejaz Kaiser reports. Why Menon?

Maoists extend deadline for freeing 29 detainees to April 18, warn against police involvement. Priya Ranjan Sahu reports. Naxal menace | Rundown of an abduction crisis

Italian national Paolo Bosusco, handed over to interlocutor Dandapani Mohanty at 5am on Thursday and whisked off to Bhubaneswar, later told the media at a state guesthouse: “I am fine. I was treated well.” Thanking the people of Orissa, he said it was time to go home. HT reports. Maoists rampage  | Video | What happens to MLA Hikaka now? | Maoist muddle

Prominent among them is Subhasree, wife of maoist leader behind Italians’ abduction. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik hoped that Maoists would release the MLA and the Italian national immediately. HT reports. Maoists on rampage  | Maoists extend deadline for release of Odisha MLA to April 7

Maoists today extended the deadline for Odisha BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka's release till April 7. Odisha to free 27 for release of 2 hostages  | Odisha yet to give names of those to be released | Maoists on rampage 

Under attack for delaying talks, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that safety of Italian citizen Basusco Paolo and BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka prompted govt decision to free prisoners. HT reports. Timeline | Maoists on rampage  | Video

The Maoist mediators holding talks for release of Italian Paolo Bosusco have arrived at a "broad arrangement" on the rebels' demands while a Maoist-backed outfit was yet to initiate talks for freeing the BJD MLA. UN 'condemns' Maoist violence in India  | Maoists on rampage 

Maoists struck in Odisha again on Saturday, kidnapping BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka from Koraput district and prompting two negotiators mediating in an earlier abduction of two Italian nationals to pull out. HT reports. Italians still hostage | Negotiations suspended

Progress marked the second day’s negotiation on Friday between the Odisha government and Maoist-backed negotiators on the release of the two abducted Italians. HT reports.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the abduction of two Italian nationals in Odisha is a "reminder of the challenge" to internal security posed by leftwing extremism.
Faces against NCTC