Chhattisgarh govt forms committee to look into Collector's abduction

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The Chhattisgarh government has decided to appoint a sub-committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Raman Singh to look into the abduction of Collector Alex Paul Menon by the Naxals.

Official sources told agencies that an emergency meeting was called by the Chief Minister at his residence on Sunday night following the April 25 deadline set by the Naxals who demanded release of their eight colleagues in exchange of the 2006 batch IAS officer.

During the meeting, it was decided that a subcommittee would be appointed to look into the abduction case.

State Home Minister Nanki Ram Kanwar, Tribal Welfare Minister Kedar Kashyap, Water Resources Minister Ramvichar Netam and School Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal would be part of the sub-committee, they said.

Officials said that the sub-committee would keep a tab on all the matters pertaining to the issue. It was also decided that an all-party meeting would soon be held to discuss the case.

Maoists had on Sunday demanded release of eight of their jailed leaders in Chhattisgarh and a halt to "Operation Green Hunt" in exchange for freedom of the Sukma collector.

The 32-year-old officer was abducted on Saturday from Majhipara village in Raipur district where he was meeting villagers for a government outreach programme.

Additional Director General of Police Ram Nivas (anti- Naxal operations) had said yesterday that the demands were made by an unidentified Naxal leader in an audio message to media organisations. The authenticity of the audio tape was being verified, he had said.

According to Nivas, the demands made were an immediate halt to "Operation Green Hunt"(anti-Maoist offensive), sending security forces in Bastar region back to the barracks and release of eight jailed Maoist leaders including two women.

In the message, the Maoist leader has alleged that false cases have been foisted against the eight jailed ultras.