Rebels in east India release Italian hostage

Paulo Basusco along with Italian tourist Claudio Colangelo was abducted on March 14 while on a trek in Orissa state. Colangelo was released 11 days later, but Basusco remained in captivity while negotiations took place between the rebels and the government.

Basusco said he had been treated well by the rebels.

"I'm in good health. There's nothing to worry about. I love Orissa," he told journalists in Bhubaneshwar, the state capital.

"The first thing I want to do is fly to Italy and meet my family," he said.

Police said the rebels held the men in a hideout deep in the jungles of the state's Kandhamal district.

There was no word on the fate of a lawmaker from Orissa, who was abducted three weeks ago. The rebels have separately demanded the release of 30 of their imprisoned comrades for the lawmaker to be set free.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the insurgency India's biggest internal security threat. At least 2,000 police, militants, rebels and civilians have been killed in the conflict.