New Delhi, April 24 - Two of the three mediators named by Maoists to negotiate the release of Chhattisgarh district collector Alex Paul Menon have refused to join talks. While lawyer Prashant Bhushant said he could not mediate while Menon was still in Maoist custody, tribal leader Manish Kunjam cited political reasons.

Maoists late Monday named Supreme Court lawyer and Team Anna member Bhushan, former National Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Commission chairperson B.D. Sharma and All India Adivasi Mahasabha president Kunjam as mediators.

Kunjam told reporters that there were 'political reasons as well as local circumstances' behind his decision. 'There are two more names on the list. We will personally request these people to mediate and we will give them whatever help necessary.'

Bhushan told reporters that while he considered the Maoists' demands for release of innocent tribals and ending operation Green Hunt against them 'completely justified', he would not mediate while they held Menon captive.

Bhushan said that he 'cannot mediate using an innocent person's life as a pawn'.

Collector's abduction Two of three 'mediators' say no.