Chhattisgarh CM says Sukma District Collector will be released soon

Raipur (Chhattisgarh), May 1 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said that abducted Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon, would be released soon.

Addressing media after meeting with the four mediators-Nirmala Buch, S. K. Mishra, B. D. Sharma and G. Hargopal-Singh said he had personally thanked the four negotiators and discussed various provisions of the agreement reached with the Maoists, and ways to implement them.

"I had called the four mediators to thank them for their hard work that lasted for four days. We have headed towards resolving the matter after the way appeal was issued and the way our four mediators requested. We also discussed the ways to implement the provisions in the agreement that has been concluded. I hope that he will be released soon," said Singh.

Singh said that anti-Maoist operations would not be suspended.

"If the peace initiative is undertaken by both parties, then we welcome it. They have not made such a proposal," added Singh.

Maoist-appointed negotiator B. D. Sharma said a proposal was sent to the Maoists last night and they were awaiting the response from the Maoists.

"We came here to discuss issues with him. We discussed development and other concerns that have been resolved yesterday (April 30) only. The proposal has been sent and we are waiting for their (Maoists) response," said Sharma.

The 32-year-old Menon, an Indian Administrative Service officer, was interacting with villagers under the 'Gram Suraj' programme that aims at counseling vulnerable locals and preventing them from treading the path of violence, when he was kidnapped.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoists as India's main internal security threat and an obstacle to higher growth. (ANI)