In Chhattisgarh, an all party meeting has appealed to the Maoists for the safe release of the abducted Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon. The appeal was issued after a consesus in a meeting held in Raipur last evening. Briefing media persons the Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh read out the contents of the apeal.

The appeal, among other things says for the safe release of Mr. Menon, keeping in view the humanitarian grounds and the protection of the democratic ideals. He said that Mr. Menon had been working for the amelioration of the lot of the rural tribal community despite difficult situations.

Underlining the efficacy of dialogue in a democratic system, he said that the government is ready for talks.

Replying to the queries on the demands of the maoists for the release of Mr. Menon, the Chief Minister said that the government has not yet received any such information from any authorised person or group. He said whenever the dialogue takes place, it will be seen which of the conditions could be met and which cann’t.

Dr. Singh said that whenever the maoists identify the names of the mediators, the government too would disclose the names of its negotiators. Regarding the deadline of 25th April set by the maoists for the government to consider their reported demands, Dr. Singh said, that is why we have made this all-party appeal.