Date:11/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/11/stories/2004091107400600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Stage set for `direct talks' with naxalites

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 10. The stage is apparently set for `direct talks' between the Government and naxalites.

The latest round of discussions held by the Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, with naxalite representatives and eight mediators, here today provided ample indications to the effect.

The talks might take place any time now, Mr. Jana Reddy told reporters later.

`No weapons'

The naxalite representatives informed reporters that Ramakrishna (RK) and Amar, State secretaries of the PW and the CPI-ML (Janashakti), would participate in the direct talks and they would come without weapons if the Secretariat was chosen as the venue.

The Government, however, would have to ensure their safe passage back into the forest, especially if the talks failed.

`Fresh proposal'

Significantly, the mediators had unanimously endorsed the "fresh proposal" made by Ramakrishna and Amar through their September 3 letter and recommended that the direct talks should take place immediately posting the contentious Clause VII for the final talks. "This clause should not be a hurdle to final talks," they said.

Positive note

The Minister wound up the meeting on a positive note after four hours of deliberations, and took the mediators to the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. Dr. Reddy was stated to have initially insisted on Clause VII (ban on weapon-carrying during ceasefire) but relented. Sources said the issue would be listed in the agenda for the direct talks and discussed.

The mediators were S. R. Sankaran, A. B. K. Prasad, Potturi Venkateswara Rao, K. G. Kannabiran, K. Seshadri, S. Haragopal, Keshavrao Jadav and Bojja Tarakam.

As last time, the Janashakti which was represented by Ch. Srinivasa Rao and K. Chandranna. L. Sampatha Rao and P. Srihari were present from the CPUSI.

Ceasefire

The Home Minister said the present three-month ceasefire lapsing on September 16 would be extended if necessary.

Mr. Varavara Rao said the Minister had accepted their demand not to involve any IAS/IPS officer in the direct talks.

He said the PW wanted political heads at the negotiation table such as Ministers as they represented the aspirations of the people.

In contrast, the officers belonged to the administrative agency which merely implemented decisions taken by the political heads.