The Chhattisgarh government has intensified its efforts to free the Sukma District Collector from Maoists' captivity. In this connection the first round of talks between the government and the Maoists' mediators, Nirmala Buch, S.K.Mishra, and Dr. B.D. Sharma and Prof. Hargopal, were held in Raipur yesterday. This preliminary round of talks to ensure the safe release of the abducted Collector Alex Paul Menon, were constructive. This was stated by Mr. Ram Bichar Netam, the Water Resources Minister after a meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on internal security, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, in Raipur late last night. Our Correspondent reports that the second round of talks between the government and the Maoists' mediators, is to resume today.In Odisha, BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka was yesterday released by the Maoists and handed over to his wife Koushalya and lawyer Nihar Ranjan Patnaik at Balipeta in Narayanpatna of Koraput district.