Talks only if arms are laid down: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 3. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, has made it clear that it will not be possible to open a dialogue with naxalite leaders unless ``they lay down weapons''.

Mr.Naidu said he was, however, not opposed to involving revolutionary writers like Mr. Varava Rao or Mr. Gaddar in the exercise to find a solution to the naxalite problem.

The Government was not averse to discussing the problem at an all-party meeting again.

The Chief Minister was responding to the points raised by Opposition members during a two-hour discussion on the extremist activities in the State Assembly on Monday.

The Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Goud, who replied to the debate, suggested that the House adopt a unanimous resolution appealing to naxalites to eschew violence and join the mainstream of national life. But the opposition parties, including the Congress-I, did not respond to the suggestion.

The Minister for Finance and Legislative Affairs, Mr. Y. Ramakrishnudu, said that the Government was willing to move the resolution which would carry weight if the entire House supported it. Even then, neither the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, nor the floor leaders of other parties chose to react. The idea was then dropped.

The Chief Minister expressed the desire that all political parties should speak out about the naxalite activities. At one stage he even taunted Dr. M. V. Mysoora Reddy (Congress-I) for keeping quiet. ``As former Home Minister, you could have shared your ideas,'' he told the Congress-I member. ``You are in charge of the law and order. What Can I speak'' was the retort of Dr.Reddy. The Leader of the Opposition sat through the entire discussion silently.

The BJP floor leader, Mr. N. Indrasena Reddy's suggestion that the discussion on the ``delicate issue'' be held in camera in view of the threats wielded by extremist groups to politicians was shot down by the Speaker, Mrs. K. Pratibha Bharathi.

``The fearless members would speak. There is no need to hold the session in camera,'' the Speaker ruled.

The Chief Minister, who spoke after a detailed reply by the Home Minister, said the problem did not relate a single political party nor the Government alone and the entire society was concerned. It was nothing but terrorism. How long can we allow the carnage to go on? he asked.

Mr. Naidu said he and the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, also figured in the list of persons targeted by naxalites. One Ramji (of the outlawed naxalited outfit) issued a warning to ``both of us. Why should we be targeted?'' he asked.

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Section  : Regional
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