According to police, some 50 ultras, including women, approached the spot where the program was underway, and took away Mr. Menon after shooting two of his guards dead. Police believe this was an operation of the ‘Military’ dalam of the Maoists.
Chhattisgarh Police on Sunday claimed to have got some important clues in the abduction case of Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon by Naxals, who are yet to make any contact with the authorities.
Additional Director General of Police (anti-Naxal operations) Ram Nivas told PTI that police has got some important clues but refused to elaborate due to security reasons.
He said police has quizzed the officials who had taken part in the Gram Suraj Abhiyan programme at Majhipara village, during which 32-year-old Mr. Menon was abducted on Saturday.
According to the officials who were present, some 50 ultras, including women, approached the spot where the programme was underway, and took away Mr. Menon after shooting two of his guards dead.
Around 20 of them were armed, the officials told police.
They first shot guard Kishun Kujur. Another guard, Amjad Khan, returned the fire, in which one of the Naxals was reportedly killed, while Khan too died in the exchange of fire.
According to Ram Nivas, police suspect this to be the operation of ‘Military’ dalam of the Naxals, and most of those who took part in the operation were from Chhattisgarh.
“Naxals have not made any demand in return for the release of the Collector so far,” Ram Nivas said.
He also said that 32-year-old Mr. Menon suffered from asthma, and was not carrying his medicines when he was abducted.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh said that state would try its best to rescue Menon.
Ms. Asha Menon, the abducted officer’s wife, has appealed to the Naxals to release her husband on humanitarian grounds, saying he was sick and does not have the necessary medicines with him.
A special police team has been constituted for rescue efforts.
Menon’s family said the officer was aware of the threat of possible kidnap of officials in the region but that never deterred him from responding to the call of duty.
“We heard that there were warnings about possible kidnap of senior officials in that region. He was advised not to go out without security. He was very careful. But he had to attend to his duties,” Mr. Menon’s father-in-law Venugopal said.
Keywords: Maoist menace, Sukma Collector kidnap, Alex Paul Menon, Maoist threat, Chhattisgarh Maoists
Alex Paul Menon is one of the committed and brilliant officers who took the "road less travelled". His missionary zeal to reach out to the underprevileged is appreciated & well recognised. His safe return is key and people like him are required to drive change in our country.I am certain the Govt (both state and central) will deal with this situation with utmost care and ensure safe release.Development comes at a cost , but not at the cost of the morale and safety of officers/volunteers like Alex. Our prayers and best wishes are with you Alex!
Its just another example of failure of intelligence. Now another 29-30 ultras will be released and all the previous efforts for nabbing the naxal would go in vain. Enough is enough; according to me its time to deploy army in the area and should work until the word naxal will be a history.
It is once again proved that, the civil servants in the Maoist effected areas need more protection. These kind of acts is not for the common adivasi as the Maoists demands, but seem like that it is simply becoming a business for the armed Maoists. It is very inhuman that helpless civil servants are the prime targets now a days. The state governments must cut securities of there political leaders enjoying a good life in cities and that should be used for the poor guys like V.Krishna, mr.Menon.
Shame on a country that cannot protect the people who are running the country, if people who have armed guards protecting them are not safe, imagine the plight of a common man who neither have armed guards nor backing of government....
This is just another proof that the maoists are not really interested in
the development of the tribals-obviously,by abducting good men,they want
to ensure that no such men will work in those areas.Thus,they can keep
the area backward and strengthen their presence.This is just a murky
game of money,muscle and power with crooked politicians and maoists
enjoying at the expense of the poor tribals and genuine well wishers who
are the sufferers.
What are Intelligence Agencies doing in these areas?? Why wasn't there
any Police security? I really pity the state of affairs and the way we
are handling this Maoist menace!! Mr Alex was a hard working and a
sincere guy working day in and out for the development of the people in
these remote areas.
Naxals, please don't sabotage someone who is out there for the help of
your villages, your children, and your land!
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