The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Time for fresh look at naxal issue: YSR

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Time for fresh look at naxal issue: YSR

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 20. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Monday called for coordinated and unified approach by various States for tackling naxalism.

Speaking to presspersons on the eve of the Chief Ministers' conference on the issue here tomorrow, Dr. Reddy said the meeting would discuss the kind of `proactive steps' to be taken. "We will look at the issue from all angles. It is not just the weapons issue or socio-economic angle to it."

Responding to a question, he said the meeting was organised by the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, and Chief Ministers were expected to discuss the problem threadbare. On his part, he would explain the steps being taken by his Government to control extremism, the peace talks and how it was able to create a peaceful atmosphere in the State.

On the alleged threat to the Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, he said all the necessary security steps would be taken.

Participants

Our Staff Reporter adds: Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand and Ministers from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar besides top officials of the North Block in New Delhi will participate in the meeting.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister, S.K. Shinde, who had confirmed his participation, backed out on Monday apparently to be on hand for selection of Congress candidates for the Assembly elections in his State.

The State Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, told reporters that the meeting was intended to facilitate coordination among the naxalite-affected States through exchange of information. The State's experience in holding negotiations with the People's War and other left wing extremist groups in the past four months would be presented at the meeting.

State's stand

Mr. Reddy said the meeting would be informed that peace talks were stalled on the controversial issue of allowing extremists to carry weapons during the peace process. The State Government would put forth its stand on the issue and invite suggestions from the Centre as it was a Constitutional matter. The Centre had already been sounded on the stalemate.

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