The composition of negotiators on the Maoist side for the release of the two abducted Italians is facing layers of difficulties.
After Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday evening refused Narayan Sanyal’s name as a mediator and discounted Biswapriya Kanungo, the Maoists suggested the names of social activists BD Sharma and Prafulla Samantra as alternatives.However, Samantara is also unwilling to take part in the negotiations process. "I have been involved in democratic movements for land rights and against big companies, but the government has no faith in me," he told Hindustan Times.
Patnaik had earlier urged the Maoist leadership to suggest two names in place of Sanyal and Kanungo, who is unwilling to negotiate, so that talks to secure the release of Paolo Bosusco (55) and Claudi Colangelo (60) could start immediately.
Patnaik is opposed to Sanyal because the latter has been convicted of several crimes. “It is not possible to accept him as a mediator in the discussion process,” Patnaik said.
{{/usCountry}}Patnaik is opposed to Sanyal because the latter has been convicted of several crimes. “It is not possible to accept him as a mediator in the discussion process,” Patnaik said.
{{/usCountry}}However, the Chhattisgarh government is ready to send Sanyal to Odisha for mediation.
“If the Odisha government wants us to send Narayan Sanyal, there is as such no technical problem. He is in custody and his case is going on in court, we will not have to release him from custody for that,” said Nanki Ram Kanwar, Chhattisgarh home minister.
Patnaik was fine with Dandapani Mohanty, who mediated the release of then Malkangiri collector R Vineel Krishna from Maoists in February 2011. Home secretary UN Behera, panchayati raj secretary PK Jena and SC/ST development secretary SK Sarangi will represent the state.