The collector seemed visibly tired while speaking to the media on Thursday after his release. He spent the night in Chintalnar and reached Sukma on Friday morning.
The sudden U-turn by the Maoists in the case has, however, led to wide speculation about a behind-the-scene deal.
While the government has promised to appoint a high-level committee to look into suspected Naxals languishing in jails, police officials say they will resume anti-Naxal operations in full force across the state.
Sukma SP Abhishek Shandilya said on Thursday that all the anti-Naxal operations in the state will resume. "All the operation against the Naxals will resume again, like ambush, long term patrolling and road opening," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh has denied any suspected backroom deal between the Naxals and the government over the sudden release of the collector.
"It (the release of Alex Paul Menon) is a good beginning. I would like to thank the four mediators. There is no hidden agreement. A committee has been formed and it will give its recommendations," Singh said.
After his release, a visibly-tired Menon spoke to the media that had been waiting for hours at Chintalnar.
Menon said, "I thank all the people, the government, family friends, who helped me at this juncture."
Menon's release was marked by high drama. The Naxal-appointed negotiators, BD Sharma and Hargopal flew in to Chintalnar and left for Talmetra around noon.
Menon was initially expected to be released around 4 pm, and the state government sent in a helicopter to whisk him away. However, confusion reigned for a while when Alex failed to show up. But finally around 6:30 pm, he was brought back.
As the news of his release reached them, his family in Chennai were in a celebratory mood.
His father-in-law, TR Venugopal, said, "I am happy, I am very very happy."
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