The Chhattisgarh government has agreed to set up a high powered standing committee to review all cases of persons for whom investigation and prosecution is pending, including Maoist related cases, in return for the release of the abducted Collector of Sukma Alex Paul Menon.Briefing newsmen in Raipur last night, Chief Minsiter Dr. Raman Singh assured that the committee would be constituted and shall become operational within an hour of the release of Menon by the maoists. Dr. Singh said that the agreement arrived at by the four negotiators to this effect was duly approved by the cabinet sub-committee on internal security and that Menon’s release is awaited.Earlier, all four negotiators namely Mrs. Nirmala Buch, and Mr. S.K. Mishra from the government side and Mr. B.D. Sharma and Prof. Hargopal nominated by the Maoists, South Bastar division, issued a joint agreement to this effect. The agreement as read out by Mrs. Buch in a joint press conference in Raipur expressed concern for the well being of the Collector and said that the maoists’ mediators have agreed to ensure the safe return of Menon by tomorrow.AIR correspondent reports that in a separate appeal to the Maoists, southern regional committee, Dandakaranya both the maoists’ mediators have asked to consider this proposal favourably and ensure the safe return of the Colllector whose spouse is in the family way.The consensus among the four interlocutors, that was reached after four circuitous sessions spread over three nail-biting days, has finally raised high hopes about the release of Mr. Menon. The series of talks that include the one the maoists had with their mediators in the dense woods of Bastar, is all set to fructify , hopefully soon. Terming the agreement as a milestone not only for the state but also for the country, Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh said that this is only the beginning of a new journey on the way to peace and development. Thanking all those who laboured for this welcome outcome , Dr Singh minced no words in stating his governmnet’s readiness to make extensive, the peace talks in future as well.