Abduction serious matter for entire country: Naveen Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the hostage crisis of the two Italians was a "very serious matter" not only for the state but for the entire country.

"The Italian hostages were in Odisha and now in the hands of Maoists which is a very serious matter for the state as well as the entire country," he said.

On Home Minister P Chidambaram rejecting his claim that the Centre had not offered any help in handling the hostage crisis, Patnaik said, "I am not here to exchange words with Mr Chidambaram. The hostage crisis is a very very serious matter not only for Odisha but for the entire country."

Earlier in the day in Delhi, Chidambaram, rejecting Patnaik's claims, told reporters, "I don't think the Chief Minister should be making these statements without any basis." reported comments.

The Home Minister also said that Patnaik had not sought any help from the Centre.