March 19th, 2012
02:08 AM ET

2 Italians abducted by Maoist rebels in eastern India

Two Italians have been kidnapped by Maoist insurgents in eastern India, the local authorities said Monday, in what is believed to be the first abduction of Westerners in the region.

Italian nationals Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo have been held hostage by left-wing rebels in the eastern state of Orissa since Wednesday, said Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, the top administrator of the state's Kandhamal district.

"As of now, the government has expressed its willingness to negotiate" to secure the Italians' release, Patil said, noting that the kidnappings came to light Sunday.

Anti-Maoist operations, part of a decades-long conflict, have been suspended in the troubled Kandhamal area, and the authorities are in the process of appointing a mediator for talks, he said.

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Filed under: India • Italy
soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. leeintulsa

    when people abduct westerners, i wonder if it irritates them when it's not americans..

    March 19, 2012 at 8:10 am | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      I've wondered the same thing....

      March 19, 2012 at 10:22 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Cesar The Chorizo Chimp Of Chihuahua

    I thought we got rid of Chairman Mao a long time ago.... Hmmmm.. nice reporting CNN.

    March 19, 2012 at 11:50 am | Report abuse |
  3. krm1007

    What goes around comes around. The center of gravity of terrorism is shifting towards India as CNN reporting indicates. First, the attack on Israel interests in India and now this. This is inspite of all the covert US, Israel and, of course, Indian intelligence operating on Indian soil.

    March 19, 2012 at 1:50 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      ....while the Pakastanis are the freedon fighters of the world. Yeah, we know.

      March 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm | Report abuse |
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