In a late Monday evening twist to the hostage crisis involving Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon, mediators nominated by the Chhattisgarh government and Maoists reached a consensus on four major issues, raising hope for the early release of the IAS officer who has been in Naxal captivity since April 21.
The four interlocutors (two from each side) appealed the Maoists to release their captive within 48 hours “since most of their grievances have been addressed in the agreement reached by them”.
“I am sure the Naxals will heed my appeal,” said B.D. Sharma, one of the two negotiators nominated by the Naxals, after a 10-hour meeting. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh later convened a press conference in which he declared that his government would implement the agreement in “letter and spirit”.
The mediators reached consensus on four major issues.