Swami Agnivesh to mediate for release of abducted Italians?

New Delhi, Mar 20: Spiritual leader, Swami Agnivesh on Tuesday offered to mediate between Maoists and the Odisha government in a bid to assure the release of the abducted Italian tourists.

"I offer to mediate between the two sides for the release of two hostages," said Agnivesh, who in the past has also mediated between the Maoist and the government.

He further said that this was the first time that the Maoists abducted foreign nationals adding that the demand made by them is similar to the one they made after abducting R Vineel Krishna, IAS officer.

"It means some of the commitments made by the government had not been honoured. That should not happen now," he said.

The two Italians were abducted on Sunday after it was alleged that they clicked some pictures of the tribals, an act banned by the government.

The fact was confirmed after top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda in a video put forth his demands in front of the government.

OneIndia News