Time to leave India: Italian who was abducted

Freed after spending nearly a month as a hostage of Maoists, Italian national Paolo Bosusco today said that it was time to bid farewell to India, while thanking the people of Odisha for his association with them for 22 years.

"I am very sorry that time has come to leave India. My work is finished. I must thank the people of Odisha for all the love and friendship they have given me in the last 22 years," Bosusco said in English and in Odiya, in which he is fluent.

"I don't know if I will return, but their love will always remain in my heart," the 54-year-old Italian, who has been operating as a tourist guide from the seaside town of Puri all these years, told reporters here after being released by the Maoists.

Asked if he along with compatriot Claudio Colangelo had taken objectionable photographs as alleged before they were kidnapped from Kandhamal district on March 14, he replied "No, it is not true."

Stating that his health was fine, he said that he was treated well during captivity. "It was a unique experience."

He also said, "I don't know what is right and what is wrong. I am not a political person. But I can just say that everybody should leave violence. I hope my sacrifice will not go in vain."

Colangelo was freed earlier on March 25.