MUMBAI: On Sunday, local Indian media reported that two Italian tourists were allegedly taken hostage by Maoist rebels in India's eastern state of Orissa, but police could not confirm the reports to Bikyamasr.com. The incident occurred in the central Kandhamal district, in one one of the areas worst-affected by the insurgency, the NDTV network reported. The Italians were seized as they photographed local women bathing in a river, the report said. “There is no concrete information. We have begun investigations to find out,” district deputy police chief Gobind Malik said in a statement. Another police officer told Bikyamasr.com that “we are taking the reports seriously and are looking for the tourists to ensure they have not been taken and if they have will do all in our power to have them released.” The rebels ssued a 13-point list of demands including release of Maoist militants and and end to counter-insurgency operations in the region, broadcaster CNN-IBN reported citing an audio tape sent by Orissa's top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda. Maoist rebels usually abduct government officials and police to press their demands. It was the first time that the rebels had allegedly taken foreign tourists hostage. ** with dpa BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/r1jfw Tags: India, Italy, Kidnapping, Tourists Section: Latest News, South Asia, Southern Europe
