Abducted collector safe, claims police

Raipur, Apr 22 (ANI): The Chattisgarh Police on Sunday claimed that the abducted collector Alex Paul Menon was safe.

Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting at police headquarters here, Additional Director General of Police, Ram Nivas said police were working on a strategy to secure the safe release of hostage.

"We are trying hard. We will inform you about any new development. We are working on a strategy. Whatever happens we will inform you immediately. He (Alex) is completely safe," Nivas told reporters.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Subodh Singh also appealed to the Maoists to release the official.

"We appeal for the safe release of collector immediately. He is a very hard working officer. He has done a lot of work for the people," added Subodh Singh.

In an audacious daylight operation, the Maoists abducted Chattisgarh District Collector Alex Paul Menon of Sukma district, during the middle of a meeting with villagers.

Menon, an IAS officer of 2006 batch, was kidnapped on Saturday from Majhipara village in Keralapal area of the Naxal-infected district.

The kidnapping comes even as uncertainty continues over the fate of Orissa's ruling BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka in neighbouring Odisha who was abducted by the Maoists about a month ago.

Menon, 32, is the first collector of Sukma after it was carved out of Dantewada district as a new district, and was known to be pro-active in undertaking development work in the backward region. (ANI)