Though the Maoists had on Sunday demanded release of five more persons in addition to the 23 agreed by the state government, two more names were added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier said that the government was examining the demand of the MLA's abductors for release of five more persons.

The state government has agreed to facilitate release of 23 prisoners including 15 members of Naxal-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) and eight Maoists.

Hikaka had been abducted in Koraput district while returning home at Laxmipur after attending a meeting in Koraput on March 24.

Lawyer Nihar Patnaik, who fights cases for Maoists, received a copy of the two-paged letter in Telugu script, but he said the red rebels had not contacted him over this matter.

Meanwhile, the release of Italian national Paolo Bosusco, abducted over three weeks ago, today ran into rough weather with the Maoists asking the state government to first "clarify" how many ultras would be set free and how many of its 13 demands would be met.

Odisha State Organising Committee secretary Sabyasachi Panda in an audio message to the media said they had demanded release of seven persons and the government had earlier agreed to release six but yesterday said it would free only five.

"This has created suspicion and the government should make it clear how many are going to be released along with their names," Panda said and demanded that the government clarify how many of his group's 13 demands were accepted.

Following the Maoist leader's message, Chief Minister Patnaik held an emergency meeting here.

"There seems to be some confusion. Government negotiators and Maoist-appointed mediators had come to a clear conclusion yesterday. I do hope these will be cleared by them soon," Patnaik said after the meeting.

He said the Italian Ambassador had again called him to enquire about Bosusco.