The Hindu : Ready for unconditional talks with naxals: CM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ready for unconditional talks with naxals: CM

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, JAN. 28. The TDP president and Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has reiterated his call to naxalites to join the mainstream. He assured all help to naxalites who are willing to lead a normal life.

Speaking at the TDP's "praja sadassu'' held here today, Mr. Naidu said the Government was ready for unconditional talks with the People's War. But, he made it clear that any proposal for ceasefire would be rejected as the extremist outfit might utilise the opportunity to regroup. He suggested that naxalites work for the poor and downtrodden democratically.

He said naxalism had become a hurdle in the development of the rural areas. The TDP Government had been trying to restore peace in villages by controlling naxalism, he said.

Referring to the People's War call to people to boycott the meeting, Mr. Naidu said people had attended the meeting in large numbers, ignoring the call. Thus it was clear that people had no sympathy for the PW. He asked the PW to rethink its policies and join the mainstream.

By speaking in support of naxalites, the Congress and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi were trying to ensure extremism a permanent place in villages, Mr. Naidu alleged.

Declaring that he did not fear for his life, Mr. Naidu said: "I am ready to sacrifice myself if people think if it helps in eliminating poverty.''

Mr. Naidu, after seeing the crowd, claimed that the present meeting was the largest ever conducted in the district. He tried to enlist the support of women and youth by repeatedly stating that he considered them his family members.

He listed the several welfare and development programmes taken up by the Government for women and youth.

Input subsidy: Mr. Naidu announced input subsidy to all farmers who suffered crop loss during the last kharif season in the district. He alleged that Congress was not cooperating with the State Government in the issue of taking up Tungabhadra parallel canal.

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