TIRUNELVELI: Relatives, friends and well-wishers of abducted Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon greeted the news of his release from captivity by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
At Menon’s house at Ram Nagar in Tirunelveli, his aunts Gnanam and Pooranam, together with their children and grandchildren, were glued to the TV to watch visuals of Menon’s release.
Sharing their happiness after his release, they distributed sweets to residents of Ram Nagar. Gnanam said, “We have been eagerly waiting his release, as my brother Varadhas (Menon’s father) is in Chennai. We were very happy and relieved today. As his release was delayed, we were worried and waited in front of the TV”. “We have not even had food till we were sure of his release. Now that he is set free, we are going to eat,” she added.
Another aunt, Pooranam of Kesavanputhur in Kanyakumari district, who had come to Alex’s house and was staying there since his abduction, thanked the media and the governments of Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and the Centre, as well as all others who were instrumental in securing his release. She said, “We did not lose hope and with the blessings of God, Alex has been released.”