Chhattisgarh abduction: Anti-Naxal ops suspended

Amid indications that the Chhattisgarh government has suspended all anti-Naxal operations in Bastar region in the first step towards securing the release of abducted Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon,the administration did not admit or deny the development

Amid indications that the Chhattisgarh government has suspended all anti-Naxal operations in Bastar region in the first step towards securing the release of abducted Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon,the administration did not admit or deny the development.

These operations are conducted at local level,it is up to them to decide. Police Headquarters in Raipur has nothing to do with this, said ADG (Naxal) Ramnivas.

Bastar IG TJ Longkumer and Sukma SP Abhishek Shandilya,however,claimed that the operations can be suspended only on orders from above. Asked why there was no clear denial,Ramnivas said: I have made my statement,you can construe it as you wish.

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The Sukma police have not sought any combing operations to trace Menon. The only action so far is that security forces today went to Manjipara village,from where the official was abducted,and allegedly beat up several villagers.

The government is yet to officially accept the authenticity of the Maoists demands,sent to the media in an audio clipping,maintaining that no demands have been raised before us… we are verifying the tape.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said that if Maoists are ready to talk,the government can appoint an official as negotiator on its behalf. At an all-party meeting chaired by Singh today,leaders appealed to Maoists to release Menon on humanitarian grounds.