As the hostage crisis in Chhattisgarh entered the seventh day today, mediators of the state government and the Maoists failed to achieve any breakthrough to secure the release of abducted Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon after the second round of talks.

The former chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh Nirmala Buch, one of the two government mediators, said the talks were "positive", and hoped for a breakthrough soon. Next round of talks to end the deadlock will be held soon, she said. 

G Hargopal, an academician named by Maoists as a mediator from their side, said that negotiations have moved forward and both sides are hopeful of reaching an agreement soon. 

The talks were focused on the demands put toward by Naxals for the release of the 32-year-old IAS officer and the government's stand on them, Hargopal said.