Menons abductors likely in Odisha

JEYPORE: Odisha, already suffering the ordeal of twin abduction crises, might have to face yet another. There have been disturbing reports trickling out that Maoists, who abducted Sukuma District Collector Alex Paul Menon from bordering Chhattisgarh, have sneaked into the safety of Malkangiri forests in Odisha. Menon was said to be entrapped by dreaded Maoist leader Venu, younger brother of the Kishenji on his way back from a gram sabha. However, this has not yet been confirmed with no words yet from the left wing extremists. The Odisha government too has denied reports that the Maoists have taken shelter in Malkangiri.As per reports, the abductors, who killed two of Menon’s bodyguards, crossed the Saberi river and into the wild of Malkangiri that forms a safe haven as part of the ‘Red Corridor’. Cops also hinted that People’s Guerilla Army, active in both the states, could be behind the kidnapping.Podia and Kalimela — two small towns frequented by the Red radicals in Malkangiri district — are just a  few kilometres away from the spot where the Maoists took Menon hostage. Intelligence sources said that in all likelihood the Maoists have crossed over to Odisha.People have started drawing a parallel between the two abductions of Menon and former Malkangiri collector Vineel Krishna. Both were pro-active and regularly visited remote areas. Vineel too was kidnapped on his return from a public meeting of local tribals. As the news spread of the kidnapping and possible border-crossing of the radicals, Chhattisgarh police have reportedly contacted their counterparts in Malkangiri. Combing operation has been stepped up but the local administration is cautious and in no mood to take chances which eventually may harm the release of local MLA Jhina Hikaka who too is the custody of the Maoists since March 23. “We are on high alert and vigil has been stepped in bordering areas,” a senior police official said.BJP Calls for Concerted Strategy Against ViolenceWarning that the Naxal situation is getting out of hands, the BJP on Sunday asked the Centre to adopt a concerted and unified strategy to tackle Maoist violence. “Unless we have a concerted and unified strategy to deal with the problem, the situation seems to be drifting out of hands,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.