Family, friends all smiles after Menon's release

End of 13-day ordeal

As the Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon walked free after 13 days of captivity on Thursday, anxious friends and relatives back home heaved a sigh of relief.

Keeping a track of the proceedings on national television, a visibly relieved Varadas, Menon’s father said: “I am extremely happy and relieved.”

Varadas added that his brother, now in Odisha, has confirmed that Menon, accompanied by the interlocutors, have already boarded a car.

“I profusely thank the Chhattistgarh government, Chief Minister Raman Singh in particular and the Central Government for my son’s release,” he said.

The doting however confessed that his “heart sank” as the television flashed images of a “fragile” Menon, an asthma patient. “My son’s release is much bigger. I am thankful to one and all,” Varadas said, acknowledging the Tamil Nadu government’s attempts to end the crisis.

“Despite this abduction crisis, I would like my son to go back and work for the people of Chhattisgarh. We want him to continue his service to the people there and I think my son too would prefer it that way,” said Varadas. “My son is no enemy of the Maoists, he went there to work for the downtrodden and this abduction should not happen to anyone,” he said, adding that the government should ensure safety of the officials in future. Varadas also appealed the Maoists to help the “help” the collector to serve the poor.

Asked if Menon would resign if asked by his captors, as was the case with BJD legislator from Odisha Jhina Hikaka, Varadas said the two cases were different. “It is easy for an elected MLA to resign, but a District Collector is appointed through the IAS,” he said, adding that Menon is unlikely to relent to such a demand.

“The Chhattisgarh Government also will not accept such a demand,” Varadas said.  
Speaking from Nolambur here, Menon’s father-in-law, Venugopal said Asha, the collector’s wife, will call Menon at around 10:30 pm. However, there were no confirmations on whether menon would proceed to Sukma on Thursday itself.

“I would like him to come over to Chennai for some time and take rest,” Venugopal said, adding that he would like Menon to get a different posting for an year before returning to Sukma.