Abducted collector wife appeals naxals to release him

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

The Maoist insurgents abducted the 32-year-old IAS officer from Majhipara village in Keralapal area of the Naxal-infested 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 4:45 PM and since then she has not heard of him.

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

Menon is the first Collector of the newly-created Sukma district and 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.