Hostage crisis: Government agrees to eight of 14 demands

BHUBANESWAR - Orissa has agreed to eight of the 14 demands made by the Maoists holding a district collector and a junior engineer hostage for the past five days, state Home Secretary U.N. Behera said Monday.

He added that the two officials, held hostage since Feb 16, are safe and are expected to be released soon.

Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the second day of talks between the state government and the three mediators chosen by the guerrillas, Behera said the talks will resume Tuesday.

“We have so far come to an agreement on eight issues out of the 14, based on specific government decision and measures,” Behera said. “We are confident that the collector and the junior engineer will be released soon,” he added.