The Hindu Business Line : Talks with Naxalites by Oct 15: Minister

THE stage is set for the first ever talks between Naxalite groups and the State Government by October 15. The representatives of both the CPI (ML) (People's War) and CPIL (ML) (Janashakti) have met the Home Minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, to convey the willingness of Naxal leaders to come for direct talks on October 13.

The Home Minister told newspersons that he would discuss the offer with the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He, however, affirmed that talks would be held before October 15.

The Naxalite representatives handed over a letter, signed by Mr Ramakrishna and Mr Amar, State Secretaries of PW and Janashakti, to the Home Minister on Friday afternoon.

The letter was in response to the Government's offer for talks on October 2, Gandhi Jayanthi. The Naxal leaders suggested that the Government held a meeting with their representatives on October 4 to finalise the agenda for the direct talks.

The Naxal leaders also wanted the Government to sign on what they termed a three-month ceasefire agreement. They enclosed a signed draft ceasefire agreement, laying down rules to ensure its success.

A ceasefire is already in force for the last four months, with both sides agreeing for it after the Congress Government taking over the reins. However, there is no formal agreement as such in this regard.

The PW has virtually set its broad agenda for talks at the public meeting held at the Nizam's College grounds on Thursday. Self-reliance, democracy, Telangana and land for the landless being the core issues.

The talks process was first initiated during the Chandrababu Naidu Government in January 2002.

The process, however, could not take off following a series of encounters.

The issue of talks had been kept alive by the Congress (I) Party, which had made it a major issue in its poll campaign. On the other hand, Mr Chandrababu Naidu, too made the election a virtual referendum on the Naxal issue, following the bid on his life at Alipiri on October 1, 2003.

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