The government is evaluating all options and monitoring the situation closely: Naveen Patnaik

BHUBNESWAR: On Thursday Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the government was evaluating all options and monitoring the situation.

CM told reporters in Bhubaneswar while terming the abduction of 30-year-old Krishna as unfortunate, “I appeal for early release of the young and energetic officer who is known for his hard work among the poor and tribals.”

The government is evaluating all options and monitoring the situation closely, the chief minister said, adding efforts were on to secure early release of the officer.

The letter sent by the collector’s captors had the handwriting of Krishna, he said, adding that the ultras are demanding a halt to anti-Maoist operations and release of all those lodged in jails on charge of their involvement in Naxal activities.

Krishna had visited the Maoist-hit Chitrakonda area in Malkangiri several times, he said, adding steps were being taken for the release of the 2005 batch IAS officer.

Chitrakonda Tehsildar D Gopal Krishnan said, There was no trace of the 30-year-old IAS officer after he went from the camp held at Badapada bordering Andhra Pradesh to see a culvert on a road nearby on a motorcycle.

While the collector and a junior engineer remained untraced, two others reached Badapada late Wednesday night with a letter, written by suspected Naxals, and handed it over to senior officials, he said.

For the fulfill of their demands, Maoists set a 48-hour deadline for the government