Abducted collector's wife appeals to Maoists to release him

Wife of collector Alex Pal Menon, who was on Saturday abducted by Maoists from Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, has appealed to the ultras to release her husband on humanitarian grounds while expressing faith in government in ensuring his release.

"My husband is unwell and not carrying medicines. I appeal to the Maoists to free him from their captivity on humanitarian grounds," Asha Menon told reporters here.

The Maoist insurgents abducted the 32-year-old IAS officer from Majhipara village in Keralapal area of Naxal-hit district this afternoon after killing his two security officers.

"My husband is a good officer and has been doing his work honestly. I am still in Sukma and being updated by the government on all developments. I am confident that the state will ensure safe release of my husband," Asha said.

She told reporters that she last spoke to Alex at around 4:45pm and since then she has not heard of him.

The incident took place when Menon, who went to the village on motorcycle, was holding a meeting with villagers as part of the government's Gram Suraj campaign, aimed at weaning away locals from the path of Naxalism.

Menon is the first Collector of the newly-created Sukma district. He was known to be pro-active in undertaking development work in the backward region.

According to police, they have not received any communication from Naxals regarding setting any conditions for the release of the IAS officer.