Chhattisgarh: Maoists to release Sukma collector

A Chhattisgarh government chopper this morning left Raipur for Tarmetla, where Maoist guerrillas are expected to release Alex Paul Menon.

Raipur: A Chhattisgarh government chopper on Thursday morning left Raipur for Tarmetla, where Maoist guerrillas are expected to release kidnapped Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon, state government sources said.

The chopper is carrying mediators G Hargopal and BD Sharma, who are scheduled to receive Menon in Tarmetla, around 500 km from Raipur.

Menon is expected to be released in the afternoon.

In a message to media organisations on Wednesday, the rebels said Menon, in their captivity since April 21, would be handed over to Hargopal and Sharma in the presence of a gathering at Tarmetla.

Tarmetla in Sukma is where the Maoists had killed 76 paramilitary personnel in April 2010.

IANS