Complete text of Agreement of Maoist and State Govt interlocutors

     Raipur, April 30, 2012: Following are the complete text of agreement had between the Maoist and the Chhattisgarh Government interlocutors today to secure the release of kidnapped Sukma District Collector Alex V F Paul Menon V.

                                                                   Agreement

     In the wake of the situation arising out of the abduction of Shri Alex Paul Menon, the young Collector of Sukma District on the 21st April, 20l2, by the Maoists the four mediators, namely, Dr. B.D. Sharma and Prof. G. Haragopal, [who were nominated by the CPI (Maoist) in South Bastar Division], and Smt. Nirmala Buch and Shri S.K. Misra [who were nominated by the Govt. of Chhattisgarh] met in Raipur to resolve the issue. The mediators discussed all relevant aspects of the issues concerning the welfare and grievances of the tribals in Bastar areas, and various demands raised by Maoists. After detailed discussion, spanning over four sessions in three days, the mediators have arrived at the following agreement;

1.     The matter which is of utmost concern to the mediators is the wellbeing of Alex the young Collector, who continues to be with the CPI (Maoists), away from his family. The mediators nominated by the Maoists have agreed as a gesture of goodwill to ensure the safe return of Alex within 48 hours i.e. on or before the 2nd of May 2012.

2.     The second issue which concerned the mediators is the large number of tribals and others who are in the judicial custody in the state in various jails. The state government has agreed to set up a high-powered committee to be Standing Committee to regularly review all cases of persons in respect of whom investigation/prosecution is pending. This includes Maoists related cases. These prisoners are in distress in view of the long time taken in investigation/prosecution for various reasons and the great inconvenience caused to their near relatives/family members who come from long distances to meet them in jail. The review committee shall be chaired by Smt. Nirmala Buch and shall have the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Chhattisgarh and Director General of Police (DGP) of the State as members. The committee shall regularly review all cases of persons in jails in the state where investigation/prosecution is still in progress. In such review the lists of cases received by the mediators in respect of tribals of Bastar and surrounding areas shall be given priority. The committee will give its recommendation to the State Government which will consider these cases with a sense of urgency. The committee shall become operational within an hour of the release of Alex, Collector Sukma.

 Sd/30.4.2012

Nirmala Buch

Sd/30/04-2012

Dr. B. D Sharma

Sd/30/4/12

S K Misra

Sd/30.4.2012

Prof G. Haragopal

In Witness thereof:

Sd/

N.K Aswal

Principal Secretary (Home)

Govt. of Chhattisgarh.