Maoists set demands, deadline to free collector

A day after abducting Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon, the CPI (Maoist) today sent a list of demands, including an immediate halt to all police activities in the area and release of eight fellow comrades as well as several tribals allegedly framed in false cases.

Setting a deadline of 72 hours, they have threatened that if action is not taken by April 25, they will have to decide the collector's fate in a Jan Adalat (people's court).

Menon was abducted while holding a meeting of the Gram Suraj Abhiyan. ADG (Naxal) Ramnivas told The Indian Express: "We are yet to verify the demands."

The Maoists whose release has been sought are Madkam Gopanna, Nirmal Akka, Devpal Chandrashekhar Reddy, Shantipriya Reddy, Meena Chaudhary, Korsa Sanni, Madkam Sanni. Vijay has also sought release of Asit Kumar Sen.

"Collectors are collaborating with policemen to lead these atrocities. There is no question of a collector being popular," South Bastar Regional Committee CPI (Maoist) secretary Vijay said in his statement.

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