Abducted Indian collector back to work

May 08, 2012: Kidnapped and released collector from the Indian state of Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district resumed his duties over the weekend just two days after the incident.

Alex Paul Menon’s zeal to work in the Maoist-infested region has not diminished after his 12-day ordeal following his kidnapping by rebels, according to a priest who knows the collector. “He regrets the killing of his bodyguards rather than his own sufferings,” said Fr. Biju Uppanmackal, a parish priest in Sukma.

Menon was abducted by Maoists on April 21 in Manjhipara village, where he had gone to attend a villagers’ meeting. “Menon’s willingness to work here is a great inspiration for me,” the priest said on Sunday.

As the first collector of the newly formed Sukma district in January 2012, Menon took a keen interest in the development of poor tribals and the backward area. Though a native of Tamil Nadu state and a member of the Church of South India, Menon attends services in one of the Protestant churches in Sukma.

Praising his concern for the tribals, Fr. Uppanmackal said, “He is really concerned for the poor tribals here. There are many people waiting to greet him.” Chief minister Raman Singh told reporters recently that he was ready to continue dialogue with the Maoist rebels if they eschewed violence.

Meanwhile, Brahmadeo Sharma, former collector of Bastar district, which previously included Sukma, has questioned alleged human rights violations of the tribals.

Sharma added that “we are confident that [Menon] will stand by the poor, defend their natural rights and earn a place in the hearts of the vulnerable sections of society.”