The abducted Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon is expected to be released by tomorrow. The Chhattisgarh government has agreed to set up a high level committee to review all cases of persons for whom investigation and prosecution is pending.

This includes the Maoist related cases, in return of the release of the abducted collector. The Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh has reiterated his commitment to fulfil the agreement in full arrived at between the government negotiators and representatives of Maoists yesterday. Dr. Singh thanked four metiators Mrs. Nirmala Buch, and Mr. S.K. Mishra from the government side and Mr. B.D. Sharma and Prof. Hargopal from the Maosits when they met him this morning.

Our correspondent quoting official sources reports that the agreement to release the abducted district collector was reached yesterday after four long sessions of talks that led to constitution of a high-power committee.

The consus among the four interlocutors, that was reached after four circuitous sessions spread over three nail-biting days, has finally raised high hopes on the release of Mr. Menon. The series of talks that include the one the maoists had with their mediators in the dense woods of Bastar, is all set to fructify , hopefully soon. Terming the agreement as a milestone not only for the state but also for the country, the chief minister Dr. Raman Singh said that this is only the beginning of a new journey on the way to peace and development.

Thanking all those who laboured into this welcome outcome , Dr Singh minced no words in stating his government's readiness to make extensive, the peace talks in future as well.