Hours after Maoists sent a virtual SOS to the government through a section of the local media indicating the “critical health condition” of abducted Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon, held hostage by them since April 21, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Tuesday morning rushed his “emissary” along with medicines for him.
Dr Raman Singh also on Tuesday set in motion the process of initiating a dialogue with the Maoists to secure the safe release of the 32-year-old IAS officer, naming two interlocutors who would negotiate with the Naxal-appointed mediators on behalf of his government.
He also sought an extension of the Maoists’ April 25 deadline to meet their demands to secure the collector’s freedom.