NEW DELHI: As talks to secure an early release of Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon entered the second day on Friday, the Maoists have asked the State government to clarify its position on their demands.In an e-mail, CPI (Maoists) South Bastar divisional committee Secretary Vijay Madkam said they cannot make a decision to extend the deadline unless the government responds to their demands.“We will consider extending our deadline only after the State government clarifies its position on our demands. We condemn these delaying tactics. It appears the Chhattisgarh government is not serious about the Collector’s fate,” Madkam wrote.Meanwhile, sources told Express that the Maoists have released an SPO, whom they kidnapped on April 19, in a gesture to pressure the State Government to concede their demand to free their associates from jail.In a separate e-mail, Maoist leader Ganesh Uike justified the Collector’s abduction, saying the IAS officer did nothing to stop police brutality against poor tribals. Speaking to Express, government mediator Nirmala Buch said talks were positive and things would be clear by Saturday. “B D Sharma and Prof G Hargopal, two mediators nominated by Maoists, would be going to Sukma tomorrow morning to talk to the Maoists’ representative, and once they are back we will resume our discussion. Hopefully by tomorrow we will reach a breakthrough.”
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