Minister denies deal with Maoists for collector's release

In a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Mohammad Akbar, State Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar said no deal had been made with Maoists in exchange for Menon's release.

A 32-year-old Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official, Menon, was abducted by Maoists on April 21 this year, while attending a Gram Suraaj Abhiyan (a campaign of the state government for good governance) meeting in Maanjipara village, around 25 kms from the Sukna district headquarters, 400 km away from the capital, Raipur.

After confabulations between Naxalite-appointed negotiators, BD Sharma and Hargopal, and the state government representatives Nirmala Buch and SK Mishra, he was released after 13 days.

Kanwar also told the assembly that around 40 left wing extremists were booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the case and efforts are on to trace them, he said.

Families of two bodyguards Kishan Kujur and Amjad Khan who were killed in the incident had been provided appropriate compensation and grant-in-aid by the government, he added.