BJD RS member welcomes steps by state govt

Berhampur: Expressing hope that the hostage crisis would end soon, senior BJD leader Pyarimohan Mohapatra has welcomed the state government taking steps to solve the problem.

"The government, within its limit, has been taking steps to solve the hostage crisis. I think it will be solved in the next two to three days," the Rajya Sabha member said.

Commenting on the abduction by Maoists two Italians from Kandhamal district on March 14 and BJD MLA from Laxmipur Jhina Hikaka in Koraput on March 24, he asked "What will you do when you are in a similar situation?"

He, however, did not elaborate when asked whether the deal for a prisoner swap might set a precedent and dent the morale of the police.