In Chhattisgarh, efforts are on for the release of the abducted collector of Sukma Mr. Alex Paul Menon. Meanwhile, the Maoists, in a mail to the media last night, have named Prof. Hargopal as their second interlocutor in the talks with the state government. This came after two of the mediators identified by the Maoists, namely Mr. Prasant Bhusan, Advocate and Manish Kunjam, National President of the All India Adivasi Mahasabha refused the offer citing different reasons.

Along with these two, the Maoists had given the name of Mr. B.D.Sharma, a retired Collector of Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Responding to the Maoists nominating their representatives in the proposed talks, the state government has also named Mrs. Nirmala Buch, retd chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh and Mr. S.K. Mishra, retired chief secretary of Chhattisgarh to take part in the talks. Meanwhile, necessary medicines have been sent to Mr. Menon who is an asthma patient .