SECURITY MATTERS: The Chief Minsiter, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, with the Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, at the meeting of Chief Ministers in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: The Andhra Pradesh Government on Friday informed the Centre that its effort to engage naxalites through the dialogue process was stalled following violation of ground rules and doubts that had crept in.

The State Government's views on the subject were conveyed at the conference of Chief Ministers called by the Centre to discuss internal security. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, addressed the gathering. The State Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, was also present.

`Law & order at any cost'

Briefing correspondents separately, Mr. Jana Reddy said the Government was of the view that dialogue was the best method to resolve the problem but the process hit a roadblock since latter did not adhere to ground rules. He said for instance, the Government could not look askance when naxalites were indulging in extortion, openly brandishing weapons or holding camps.

The primary duty of the State was to ensure maintenance of law and order. The State Government told the conference that a three-pronged strategy was being adopted to address the issue. One, engage naxalites in talks with a view to bringing them to the mainstream; second, strengthen social economic development and wean away support to naxalite groups by the poor; and third, while engaging naxalites in talks enforce the rule of law and strengthen law-enforcing agencies.

The State Government, he said, reiterated its demand for four battalions of India Reserve and restoration of two battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force that were withdrawn from the State after the elections.

In addition, they asked for Rs. 300 crores for modernisation of the police force.

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