Mediators Prof G Hargopal and Dandapani Mohanty were going by helicopter to the southern district, a Maoist stronghold adjoining Malkangiri, Panchayati Raj Secretary S N Tripathy told mediapersons.
Official sources said the two mediators could proceed to Malkangiri from Koraput, if necessary, to be present as demanded by the Naxals.
Before their departure, the mediators had a marathon discussion with the Orissa government officials including Tripathy and Home Secretary U N Behera and explored various options for safe return of the 30-year-old IAS officer, who was abducted on February 16 along with junior engineer Pabitra Majhi.
Though Majhi was set free on Wednesday, the abductors put forward new demands for the release of the 2005 batch IAS officer. They have demanded immediate release of five senior Maoist leaders apart from Ganti Prasadam, who has been granted bail by the Orissa high court.
Prasadam was taken to Koraput on Thursday morning for his release on bail by the sub-divisional judicial magistrate there, but the process is likely to take more time. "We are making all efforts. Talks were held with the three interlocutors to secure safe and early release of the collector from the Maoists," said Chief Secretary B K Patnaik.
The mediators had asked the Naxals to release Krishna this evening but the Maoists put forward fresh conditions.
Voicing optimism about Krishna's release, the home secretary said, "We hope the appeal made by the mediators must have reached the abductors by now. We are hopeful of some positive development soon."
Meanwhile, social activist Swami Agnivesh, whose participation in the process was sought by the Maoists, said that it would not be possible for him to reach Malkangiri within a short time. He appealed to the abductors to set free the collector without further delay.
