This Article is From Apr 02, 2012

Odisha's Rayagada district restricts visit of foreigners

Odisha's Rayagada district restricts visit of foreigners
Bhubaneswar: With two Italian tourists being taken hostage by Maoists in Kandhamal district, the authorities of Rayagada, another Left wing extremist-hit tribal district, has restricted the entry of foreigners.

"We have imposed temporary restriction on the visit by foreigners in the district in view of their safety," Rayagada District Collector Nitin B Jawale said.

"The restriction is for two weeks. We will review the situation and may allow foreigners soon," the Collector said. Instructions have been issued to tour operators, he said.

"It is another factor whether foreigners take objectionable photographs or not. We do not want to take a chance under the changed circumstances," a senior official said.

Claudio Colangelo, the Italian who was released, has said he did not take any objectionable photograph of tribals.

Paolo Basusco, another Italian, is still in Maoist captivity since his abduction on March 14 in Kandhamal district.

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