Hours after the Chhattisgarh government offered to hold talks to secure the release Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon, Maoists on Monday night named three mediators, including lawyer Prashant Bhushan, for negotiations.
In a statement, the Maoists also termed Mr. Menon’s health as critical and asked the mediators to bring medicines along with them.
Former National SC/ST Commission chairperson B D Sharma and president of All India Adivasi Mahasabha Manish Kunjam are the other mediators named by the Maoists.
The Maoists asked the government not to indulge in “delay tactics” as Mr. Menon’s health was deteriorating.
They said only the three persons named by them will be allowed to negotiate in Tarimetla village and asked them to accept the invitation to act as mediators.
However, Mr. Kunjam has declined the Maoists offer citing regional circumstances and party obligations.
Keywords: Collector kidnap, Maoist insurgency, Chhattisgarh government, Maoists' demand, Prashant Bhushan
How long this Cat and Mouse game will go on? Our governments and security and intelligence services are good for nothing. They have totally failed to either resolve the issue through dialog or deal it with heavy hand. Do we need this kind of weak police force and administration? It really worries my Indian govt's preparedness to deal with external as well as internal security issues.
Government should try to make sure that the life of kidnapped collector not to be in danger. Each steps taken by government should ensure collector safty first and should send the mediators so that it can be clear what is the main demand of the naxalist . But it should be ensure that in future these type of event should not be repeated and a permanent solution should be eraised
The maoists are terrorists and playing with the lives of people. There should be no negotiation. Negotiation will lead to more elements applying the same tactics. By negotiating with them the Govt gives them legitamacy.
We have burnt ourselves once by negotiating with the Kandahar terrorists.
Yes there will be collateral damge by not negotiating. That's the price the nation and particularly the affected family pays for the greater good.
Please Email the Editor