NEWDELHI: The Chhattisgarh Government on Monday said it was ready for a dialogue with the Maoists to discuss their demands and ensure the safe release of abducted Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon.
Speaking to Express over phone from Raipur, Chhattisgarh Home Minister Nanki Ram Kanwar said the state government is ready to talk but the Maoists have not approached the state machinery formally through any mediators. “Though we have not received any formal communication and a set of demands from Naxals, we are trying to establish the veracity of such communication. The Cabinet subcommittee is looking into the demands made by the Maoists and is considering all the suggestions. As of today (Monday), the State government is exploring all the possible options for safe release of district collector,” said State Home Secretary N K Aswal. Aswal also clarified that no formal communication in terms of halting anti-Naxal operation has been issued by the state government. “Many anti-Maoists operations are being carried out and supervised by the local police. So, they may have taken some steps. But as of now the state government has not issued any such communication,” he said.