The mediators of Chhatisgarh government and maoists are holding another round of talks to seek safe release of Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon.

The two sides held first round of talks in Raipur last evening. Chhatisgarh government has renewed its appeal to maoists to release Mr.Menon on humanitarian grounds.

The government is represented by Nirmala Buch and S K Mishra and maoists side by Dr.B D Sharma and Prof. Hargopal in the talks.

Meanwhile, the Maoists have given the names of nine more jailed naxalites whom they want the government to release, taking their total numbers to 17.

Stating this to AIR news a shortwhile ago, the Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr.N Baijendra Kumar said that the government has already identified 15 of them.

Talking to reporters in Raipur today, the Chief Minister Dr.Raman Singh has said that the Maoists should release Mr.Menon since the talks are already going on.

Replying to a query on the likely visit of the maoists negotiators to Patmetla in the Sukma district later today, Dr.Singh said the government will provide them with all facilities.