The Chhattisgarh government has intensified its efforts for the safe release of the abducted Collector of Sukma district, Alex Paul Menon. In this connection, top police officials from the state had a meeting with the Centre in New Delhi today. The Chief minister Dr. Raman Singh has reiterated that the state government is in constant touch with the Centre on this issue.

The Cabinet sub-committee on internal security is likely to have a meeting tomorrow with the two negotiators, Mrs. Nirmala Buch and Mr. S.K.Mishra, identified to represent the state government in the talks with the mediators of the Maoists. Talking to the media separately, both of them have said that the safe release of Mr. Menon would be their priority.Meanwhile, Mrs Asha Paul Menon, the wife of the
Collector, today said in Sukma that she has given medicines and clothes to Mr. Manish Kunjam, President of the All India Adivasi Mahasabha so that the same can reach her husband. Mr. Kunjam has already left for an unidentified location to hand over the medicines.
On the other hand, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Dr. Charandas Mahant today met the Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram in New Delhi and requested him to provide help at all levels to the state government for the safe release of Mr. Menon.