Raipur:
One week after the kidnapping of Sukma collector Alex Menon, the first round of talks between the mediators and the Maoists have begun.
Early Saturday morning, the Maoist mediators BD Sharma and Professor Hargopal left to go to Chintalnar to meet Maoist leaders in a chopper provided by the government. After that meeting, they are slated to head back to the state capital Raipur to meet with government interlocutors Nirmala Buch and SK Mishra. "We are going to meet them, we hope to return by evening with some positive news," said Mr Sharma before leaving. The meeting in Raipur later today will be the third round of talks between the mediators and the government in an attempt to break the deadlock for the release of the collector
On Friday, the Maoists sent two e-mails to the media explaining their stand. In the first statement they talked about why they kidnapped the 32-year-old Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. The e-mail said the Sukma Collector was engaged in anti-Maoist activities in the region which is why he became a target.
The second one sent a few hours later, said how they have got no response from the state government. The email goes on to say how they will not talk about extending the deadline for the release of Mr Menon if they do not get a proper reply from the state authorities. Also mentioned in the letter is the grouse that the state government does not appear serious about releasing the collector.
The key demand of the Maoists is the release of eight members and nine other close aides.
Mr Menon was abducted by the Maoists on Saturday from a remote village where he was attending the Gram Suraj Abhiyaan - a state government-run programme meant to promote greater coordination and connect between the villagers and administration. They also killed two of his security personnel when they resisted his abduction.