The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Naxalites accept proposal for talks

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Saturday, Sep 04, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Naxalites accept proposal for talks

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 3. The month-long deadlock over the naxalite-Government talks was resolved on Friday when the People's War came out with a blanket nod accepting the proposal for the dialogue. It kept in abeyance its demand for allowing its cadre to carry weapons during the ceasefire period, and said this issue could be discussed at the next meeting for a decision.

Breaking their silence on the August 5 invitation extended by the Government for talks, the PW and Jana Shakti sought `direct talks at once', indicating their total readiness through a letter despatched to the Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, by the three emissaries — P. Varavara Rao, G. Kalyan Rao, and Gaddar — and two others representing the Jana Shakti — C. Srinivasa Rao and K. Chandranna. They held discussions with the Minister for three hours raising some fringe demands, which were conceded by the latter.

Mr. Reddy later posted the meeting for September 10 resolving contentious issues such as weapon-carrying, thereby paving way for direct talks between the Government and the naxal groups. The September 10 meeting would be crucial as the five mediators, including S.R. Sankaran, former IAS officer, would participate in it along with the Government and the emissaries. A decision whether to delete the 7th clause (prohibiting PW cadre from carrying weapons) from the eight-point plan endorsed by the mediators would be binding on both sides, the Minister told reporters.

Stand on arms

The Home Minister sounded positive on this demand too stating that the dialogue `could be possible' even if the cadre moved about with weapons but he would have to consult the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, before taking any stand. In reciprocation, the emissaries recalled the letter to say that the seventh clause, or for that matter anything else, could not be a hurdle for the talks.

Mr. Reddy moved another step forward by disclosing that he had sent letters appointing S. Ramakrishna Reddy, a retired sessions judge, K.G. Kannabiran and K. Balagoppal, on the inquiry commission to probe the covert operations in Warangal, Khammam and Kurnool districts. The commission was expected to commence work on September 6.

Government `strategy'

The emissaries, who also spoke to the press, alleged that the `strategy' behind the Government's insistence on retaining the seventh clause was to weaken the PW but this was contested by the Minister.

He explained that if the weapons were allowed for naxalites, factionists and other anti-social elements would take advantage.

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