Longest ten days of my life: Freed Italian hostage

One of the Italian hostages who was released by Maoists on Sunday, has said that the ten days he spent in naxal custody were the longest days of his life.

“I spent ten days doing absolutely nothing. There is nothing worse. I feel as though these ten days were stolen from my life”, Claudio Colangelo told journalists.

Colangelo said he would continue visiting India because he loved the country but would not be foolish enough to visit jungles again.

he said he was sorry that he had caused his family so much anguish and wanted to go back to Italy as soon as possible so that he could be with his wife again.

Colangelo was released into thecustody of a group of NDTV journalists who had been summoned to the jungles of Odisha for an interview with naxal leader Sabyasachi Panda.

Pada had told the journalists that he would release Colangelo as a good will gesture and because he was unwell. Speaking to media he hoped the other hostage Paulo be released soon. Colangelo said they were treated very well by the Maoists. He said they were bathing in the river when four people with rifles abducted them.

He said, " I am happy to be released. Hope to see my family soon."

The Italians were abducted 10 days ago by the Maoists in Orissa.

The Maoists kidnapped BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka, 37, early Saturday even as the government held a dialogue with the rebels through their mediators for the release of Italians Bosusco Paolo, 54, and Claudio Colangelo, 61.

On Wednesday, the Maoists had offered to release one of the two Italians held captive by them if two of their demands, including release of some rebels, were met, as the Odisha government asked its mediators to contact their counterparts chosen by the captors.

On Saturday evening, talks to secure the release of two Italians were suspended after the rebels kidnapped a ruling party legislator and killed a police officer.

The dramatic developments pushed the fate of all three hostages into uncertainty. The government did not say whether it will resume the talks or whether it will use force against the rebels.