The Hindu : PW pulls out of talks with A.P. Govt.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 20, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

PW pulls out of talks with A.P. Govt.

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD JULY 19. Accusing the Andhra Pradesh Government of scuttling the peace process by continuing ``false encounter killings,'' the CPI-ML People's War (PW) has pulled out of the ongoing effort to hold direct negotiations. The PW has also announced that its unilateral ceasefire has been withdrawn and ``now our war of resistance will continue.''

The PW State committee secretary, Ramakrishna's announcement came close on the heels of the Government's decision to extend the ban on the extremist party even while it has reiterated its resolve to hold negotiations with the left-wing party.

The PW leader's statement sent to media offices on Friday slammed the Government for what it termed as ``double speak'' and ``belligerence'' in continuing ``fake encounter killings.'' The PW leader maintained that his party could not ignore its responsibility towards people, democratic values and principles and hence had extended the ceasefire twice.

"But the Government's response is not only turning to be not positive but also becoming more and more negative and antagonistic. It would be neither possible nor proper to exercise patience and restraint even now. Therefore, we are herewith withdrawing our ceasefire,'' Mr. Ramakrishna asserted.

However, "the PW would be ready for talks at any point of time, if a conducive atmosphere is created and the Government also announces and abides by the ceasefire like us.'' The three-page statement slammed the Government, accusing it of coming to the three rounds of agenda-setting talks "as a ritual only to avoid pressure from people and democrats". "It has all along acted with an aim to pull the curtains down on the talks on some or other pretext."

Even while it participated in preliminary talks, it resorted to fake encounter killings, despite the Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC), newspapers, democrats and the Peace Initiative Committee condemning the killings.

Mr. Ramakrishna said the Government was annoyed, as the talks were becoming a forum for public response. It was clear to the PW that the Government would not allow the process of talks to go ahead. The spate of encounters in which 10 PW cadres were killed had only elicited derisive comments from the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the DGP, Pervaram Ramulu.

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