The reason for a day's delay

Why was Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon released on Thursday and not on Wednesday as was desired by the four mediators?

Why was Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon released on Thursday and not on Wednesday as was desired by the four mediators?

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The explanation is that his abductors, the Maoists, were reportedly not fully satisfied initially by the agreement the mediators of the state government and those of the rebels agreed upon on April 30. Later they came round.

Both the sides had agreed to constitute a committee under Nirmala Buch, one of the two government interlocutors, to periodically review the cases of all prisoners languishing in Chhattisgarh jails.

A source said the rebels were initially unhappy because the agreement was silent on eight hardcore ultras whose release was sought as part of the original demands.

The state government, however, said it was happy even if the release was delayed by a day.

"Perhaps the rebels took more time because they wanted to re-negotiate," a spokesperson said.