in mid-march, maoist rebels kidnapped two italians in orissa. they later released one, while the government of orissa negotiated for the release of the second. the maoists released the second hostage in the middle of april. the member of the legislative assembly(mla) of laxmipur constituency (orissa), jhin hikka, was abducted by the maoists in march, who demand the release of 30 maoist cadres (presently in jail) in exchange for the freedom of the mla. the orissa government is negotiating with the cadres with the help of arbitrators to free the mla.