The security agencies have traced the exact location where the Maoists are holding Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon captive — Gangunda in southern Bastar’s Chintagufa area, a senior paramilitary official told this newspaper. “We managed to track him to within 500 metres,” he said.
The IAS officer’s captors sought reinforcements from the Naxal belts of Jharkhand and Orissa to guard Mr Menon, but the security agencies moved swiftly to cordon off the entire area, making it virtually a “sterile zone”, due to which the Naxals had failed to move their hostage elsewhere.
The officials claim they have exact details on how many Naxals are guarding him, and about top Maoist commanders in Chinta-gufa. Plans are also on for a rescue operation, but there is no go-ahead yet from either the home ministry or CRPF headquarters.
Investigations also revealed that the operation to kidnap the collector was led by a top woman Naxal commander, Linge, who was at the spot where Mr Menon was seized. She was accompanied by an associate, Bhima, and it was Linge who asked the collector to identify himself in the crowd. “Later she was heard assuring Menon no harm would come to him.”
The Maoists’ first deadline passed Wednesday amid reports it had been extended till Friday to give talks between mediators of the state government and the Naxals a chance. The 32-year-old officer received the asthma medicines sent for him by the authorities.
“We are awaiting the return of Manish Kunjam, who went to deliver the medicine. We have information he is returning after meeting top Naxal leaders at Chintagufa late Tuesday night,” a senior state police officer said.