Maoist interlocutors appeal rebels to release Menon

     Raipur, April 30, 2012: Maoist interlocutors Dr Brahma Dev Sharma and Prof G Haragopal have appealed to the rebels to release Sukma District Collector Alex V F Paul Menon V unharmed after both the extremists and government interlocutors reached an agreement earlier in the day.

     “We appeal to Maoist Party, Southern Regional Committee, Dandakaranya to consider this proposal favourably and ensure safe return of the Collector Alex Paul Menon, whose spouse is in the family way,” both Sharma and Haragopal said in a signed appeal to the Maoists.

     The appeal was read out by Prof Haragopal in a joint press conference this evening, in which government interlocutors Nirmala Buch and Suyogya Kumar Misra were also present along with Prof Haragopal and Sharma.

     The State Government would constitute a High-Power Committee under the chairpersonship of Nirmala Buch with Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh as members, he said.

     This committee would review the cases of all prisoners, who have been languishing in Chhattisgarh jails, including the cases demanded by the Maoists party, Prof Haragopal said.

     The committee will review the cases periodically to expedite the disposal of maximum number of cases especially related to tribals, he added.

     “Relief will be provided in all cases of victims of Human Rights violations,” he said.

     “Under the given circumstances, we as mediators feel that this was the agreement that could be worked out.

     “We appeal to Maoist Party, Southern Regional Committee, Dandakaranya to consider this proposal favourably and ensure safe return of the Collector,” Prof Haragopal said.

     When the 2006-batch IAS officer was on a tour of the Majhipara area in Sukma District on April 21 during Gram Suraj Abhiyan, he was confronted by the Maoists guerrilla and after exchange of fire, the civil servant was kidnapped by Maoists after killing both his body guards.