The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Land issue to figure in talks, says Varavara Rao

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Land issue to figure in talks, says Varavara Rao

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, JULY 13. The proposed talks between the People's War (PW) and the State Government will centre around democratic rights to individuals and land-related issues.

Disclosing this to The Hindu in a recent chat, the Revolutionary Writers' Association (VIRASAM) State executive member, Varavara Rao, said the Marxist-Leninist parties, often termed left-wing extremists, were in favour of enabling all citizens to exercise their rights without any restriction.

On the land and land-related issues, Mr. Rao, who is one among three emissaries named by the PW for dialogue with the Government, said: "As per our information, five lakh acres of fallow lands which are now under the possession of landless peasants should be regularised.''

He said they were also in favour of distributing pattas to Girijans who were under the possession of five lakh acres of forest area. Regulation 1 of 70, introduced as part of the Land Transfer Regulation Act should be implemented in letter and spirit, he said.

On the continuation of ban on the PW, he said though it was not a pre-condition for talks, to create a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful solution, the Government should withdraw it without dilly-dallying.

To a question, he said that ``there will not be any problem among ML parties in adhering to a compromise formula if the CPI (ML) PW and the Government hammer out a peaceful solution. The Janshakti leader, Amar, and the PW State secretary, Ramakrishna, jointly wrote to the Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy. This itself is a pointer to the fact on their willingness for peace,'' he averred.

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