Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Kodela talks tough against naxalites

By Our Staff Reporter

GUNTUR NOV. 7. The Minister for Medical and Health, Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, has talked tough against naxalites and even went further in saying that he is prepared to lay down his life for protecting the interests of the poor and the downtrodden. However, Dr. Rao appealed to the naxalites to eschew violence and join the mainstream.

The Minister, along with several political leaders and officials, visited Morjampadu village in Machavaram mandal, 100 km away from here, on Thursday and called on the victims whose houses were raided by naxalites belonging to the People's War (PW) on November 1.

Addressing a public meeting after visiting the houses of the affected people, Dr. Rao called on the people to put up a united fight against the naxalites. People in Palnadu were used to frittering away their energies in factional violence and consequent murders. "Now, I appeal to all of you to shun violence and gather your energies to put up a united fight against the naxalites and self-styled ideologues. I am not afraid to say this. After all, if they claimed the life of one Madhava Reddy (former Home Minister), 100 Madhava Reddies have come up. Similarly, if one Sivaprasad goes, hundreds will come, but, the system will continue,'' he remarked.

The State Government is also working towards achieving social justice and economic growth of the people of all sections. Therefore, the ideology that was being talked about by naxalites had become irrelevant. The State Government is ready to start a dialogue with naxalites again and is even ready to drop cases against some of them if they really changed their attitude, he said. Describing the raid on the village as "very unfortunate and ghastly'', Dr. Rao said that the Government is keen to help the victims.

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