The Chhattisgarh government has nominated two mediators to hold talks with Maoists to seek safe release of Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon. The nominated mediators are former chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh Mrs. Nirmala Buch and former chief secretary of Chhattisgarh Mr. S.K.Mishra.

This was announced by the Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh at Raipur today. He said, it has come to his knowledge that some of the negotiators proposed by Maoists have declined the offer. He however, welcomed their move of at least identifying the negotiators. Expressing concern over the health of District Magistrate, who is suffering from Asthama, the Chief Minister said that he has talked to Manish Kunjam over phone to take the medicine kit to the place as specified by the Maoists.

Dr. Raman Singh said that the state government is in constant touch with the Centre over the issue. Earlier, Prashant Bhushan named by Maoists as one of the three mediators refused to mediate with the government. He however, urged the government to address the issues raised by Maoists. Maoists named three mediators after Chhattisgarh government offered to hold talks to secure the release of the Sukma district collector.

Two other mediators named by Maoists are former National SC/ST Commission chairperson B D Sharma and president of All India Adivasi Mahasabha Manish Kunjam. Kunjam has also declined the Maoists' offer citing regional circumstances and party obligations.

An all party meeting yesterday appealed to the Maoists for the safe release of abducted District Collector. He said, whenever the dialogue takes place, it will be seen which of the conditions could be met and which could not.