System responsible for abduction of Collector: B D Sharma

     Raipur, April 26, 2012: Maoist interlocutor Dr Brahma Dev Sharma today blamed the system for the abduction of the Sukma Collector Alex V F Paul Menon V on April 21 by Maoists.

     “The current system is responsible for the kidnapping of Collector Menon,” Sharma told reporters after arrival at Raipur for talk to release the IAS officer.

     Replying to a question, he said he was not in a position to say which of the demands are justified and which are not. He also said he had not spoken to the Maoists so far.

     He refused to speak on the matter without meeting his co-interlocutor Prof Haragopal and government sides and the Maoists.

     Meanwhile, Prof Haragopal, after arrival at Raipur said today, he was quite hopeful of a positive result as in all the three previous cases of negotiations he never had failed.

      Stating that the situations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh are different, he said his priority was the release of Collector Menon.

     He also expressed concern over the condition of the tribals.

     To a question Prof Haragopal said all the four interlocutors would definitely find a solution to the problem but the release would take time.

     When Menon 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.