Though they did not physically harm him, the Maoists caused terrible misery for Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon by holding him at gunpoint and blindfolded throughout the 13 days of his detention in the deep woods, according to Dr J. Joel, principal, Nazareth Margoschis College in Thoothukudi.
Dr Joel is also a practising psychologist and had gone to Chhattisgarh at the invitation of the government to play the role of an interlocutor for securing the release of Menon who also hails from Thoothukudi district.
Though he did not take part in the direct negotiations between the government and the Maoists, Dr Joel was very much present on the sidelines assisting the talks and thus knew all the developments.
“I met Alex at his residence soon after his release. He described his ordeal in great detail. He’s a brave man and that’s why he was able to withstand it. He was treated very badly by his captors. As a friend, he told me many things on the condition that I will not disclose them,” Dr Joel told DC.
“While releasing him (on May 3), the Maoists warned Alex he should not open his mouth about his time with them”.
He said the Maoists shifted their hostage every hour and made him walk with a black cloth covering both his eyes, as well as the ears.
“Alex told me he was wheezing badly and his head spun during those walks. He said he could not sleep and had no appetite at all, as the cold-blooded killing of his two security men haunted him constantly. These loyal guards had been with him ever since he took charge as the collector of the newly created Sukma district over two years ago”.
“Alex told me he would soon visit the poor families of the two slain guards. One of them was to get married soon”, Dr Joel said, adding, “The young man wants to remain in Sukma, continue serving those poor people who had stood by him when the Maoists abducted him on April 21”.
“It’s only when one visits those troubled places, like I recently did, that one realizes how peaceful Tamil Nadu is. I congratulate chief minister Jayalalithaa for ensuring peace and harmony here,” Dr Joel said.