Maoists Kidnap Collector, Kill 2 Guards in Chhattisgarh

Maoist rebels today abducted the Sukma district collector in Chhattisgarh and shot dead his two guards who tried to resist them, police said. Alex Paul Menon, 32, an IAS officer of the 2006 batch, was abducted by the guerrillas from a government function organised in an interior village Kerlapal, some 500 km south of state capital Raipur, said the police officials.

Alex Menon had gone to attend the Gram Swaraj Abhijaan - a state government run program meant to promote greater coordination and connect between the villagers and administration. He was on his way back to Sukma when 15-20 Maoists stopped his vehicle and took him hostage. The collector was then taken to a forested area, police said.

Chhattisgarh's Director General of Police Anil M. Navaney convened an emergency meeting here on the issue. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is chairing the high level meeting now. Social activist Swami Agnivesh appealed to the Maoists to free Menon and said that he is willing to mediate between the government and the Maoists.