Date:04/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/04/stories/2005010405050400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Manmohan allays fears over peace process

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 3. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has said there is no intention on the part of the Andhra Pradesh Government to discontinue the present understanding with naxalite groups that neither side will undertake "offensive operations'' against each other.

In a letter to the civil rights leader, K. G. Kannabiran, copies of which were circulated to the media by S. R. Sankaran, Convenor, Committee of Concerned Citizens, on Monday, Dr. Singh said he was aware of the developments with regard to the peace talks and that some problems remained to be resolved. "Nevertheless, our commitment to try to make the talks successful remains unaltered, and we hope that the CPI (Maoist) leaders would cooperate with us...," he said.

Outstanding issues

He said the first round of talks in October appeared to be quite satisfactory, though certain issues needed to be clarified. The State Government was concerned at the open display of arms by naxalite cadres during their visits to villages against the spirit and letter of Clause 7 of the agreement arrived at between the two sides.

Some new concerns had also emerged -- the number of encroachments effected by naxalite groups on public and private property, growing extortion demands and the militant rhetoric by the leaders at rallies and meetings. Extortion demands, in particular, were causing a great deal of unease and the State Government had been compelled to take steps to allay fears of a virtual collapse of law and order.

`State sincere'

"Despite this, the authorities in Andhra Pradesh, specially the Chief Minister and the Home Minister, are anxious and remain committed to continuing the talks," Dr. Singh said.

Noting that concerned citizens were exerting pressure on naxalites to avoid display of arms in public, he said the State Government was hoping that would have a beneficial impact, and was preparing to discuss Clause 7 as an agenda item in the next round of talks. " I hope you will pursue this matter with naxalite groups and persuade them to see the wisdom of doing so," he told Mr. Kannabiran.