Maoist leader's wife denounces act of abduction of Italian

 Despite describing her husband Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda as her ''friend, philosopher and guide'', wife Subhasree Das alias Mili today denounced the act of taking a foreign national hostage and showed willingness to become a mediator.

"It is not right to keep anyone hostage for fulfilment of certain demands. One should not put pressure on the government in this manner. The act will earn a bad name for the state. Foreigners are our guests," Das, who was released from jail after a court acquitted her from being involved in an encounter in 2003, said.

Das, who arrived at her mother-in-law's house here on Tuesday night, showed willingness to become a mediator in the Italian national Paolo Bosusco's abduction incident. "I am ready to take steps for release of the foreign national," she told reporters here.

Subhasree, who was freed from jail after about two years, said that Italian hostage crisis was an international issue. "I can bear any pain for the release of the Italian national Paolo Basusco," she said.

Though Panda had demanded release of seven persons including his wife, for safe release of Bosusco, Das said, "My release from jail had nothing to do with conditions put by the Maoists. As the case against me had no merit, the court acquitted me". Das's husband Sabyasachi alias Sunil, secretary of Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI(Maoist) had abducted two Italian nationals - Claudio Colongelo and Paolo Baususco - while they were on a trekking mission to Kandhamal district on March 14.

Though Panda had meanwhile, released Claudio, Basusco continued to remain in Maoist captitivity for nearly a month.

Asking Maoists to shun violence in order to win hearts of people, Das said the state government should also adopt similar attitude to restore normalcy in tribal pockets.
Meanwhile, Panda's 8-year-old daughter Guddi applealed to her Maoist father to return to the mainstream. "I have got back mummy. But I miss you. Now I want you back too," the daughter said.