Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Monday exhorted the Naxalites to name interlocutors so that negotiations could begin to end the hostage crisis involving Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon, abducted in a remote tribal village last Saturday, while ordering all anti-Maoist operations suspended in the Bastar region.
The state government directed the security forces not to conduct any action against the Maoists in Bastar till he is freed. This is to ensure the 32-year-old IAS officer’s safety.
The CM said his government was “ready for an open dialogue with the rebels provided their leaders... establish direct contact”. He told reporters: “I can’t rely on the media statement of the so-called Naxal leader. I would also welcome (it) if the media could play the role of mediator.” Mr Singh voiced concern on the officer’s ill-health, and said arrangements were being made to reach asthma medicines to him.
The chief minister convened an all-party meeting here on Monday evening, where an unanimous resolution was adopted urging the Naxals to free the IAS officer immediately.
An umanned aerial vehicle deployed to scan the Bastar jungles reportedly located him Monday, a source said.
“The UAV sent clear pictures showing the location where the IAS officer has been kept. He has been shifted many times in the past 48 hours and is now captive at Tulsipar, a remote village near south Orissa,” a senior police officer told this newspaper.