There has been a significant movement forward in talks between the Naxal and government-appointed mediators, raising hopes that the kidnapped Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon may be released soon.
The first indication of a possible breakthrough came on late Friday afternoon when the two Naxal mediators, B.D. Sharma and Prof. Hargopal, deferred at the last minute their visit to Tadmetla village in Dantewada district and instead decided to continue talks with government representatives. Both Mr Sharma and Prof. Hargopal were to meet top Naxal leaders at Tadmetla to discuss the deliberations they had with government mediators, Nirmala Buch and S.K. Mishra.
Both sides had a lengthy discussion on Friday and the meeting was described as “constructive” following which the two Naxal interlocutors wanted to meet the Maoists leadership to discuss the future course of action. The state government had even arranged a special helicopter to take Mr Sharma and Prof. Hargopal to Tadmetla but they cancelled their trip at the last minute saying they had a telephonic discussion with a top Naxal leader and that talks with government representative should proceed further.
“This is a good development and it seems both the Naxals and their mediators are satisfied with the discussion held so far. The Naxal leaders told their representatives to continue the talks so that they come up with a concrete proposal as and when they meet,” a senior security official said.
Highly-placed state government sources privy to the developments said that during the meeting the state government made its stand very clear to the Naxal representatives that the possibility of releasing the jailed Naxals was completely ruled out. But, sources added the state government has given an assurance that pending trial of the Maoist leaders will be put on fastrack by setting up special courts.