The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Government may not yield to naxalite pressure

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Government may not yield to naxalite pressure

By W. Chandrakanth

HYDERABAD, OCT. 13. The Andhra Pradesh Government which is seeking a lasting solution to put an end to the naxalism issue may not yield to pressure from the People's War and Janashakti to "work towards peace" outside the nation's constitutional and legal framework.

Primarily, it will explain to the underground leaders who have reached Hyderabad for negotiations that their organisations shall be treated as `conventional democratic groups' and hence, they will have to honour the law of the land.

Just as the People's War has done, the Government too has identified its `non-negotiables' and interestingly, the revolutionary groups hold the exact opposite of these dear to their heart.

Though the Government is prepared to `go to any extent' in finding a way out, it is of the view that it will certainly not allow "flagrant violation of the constitutional and legal provisions".

Issues identified

It has also identified three sets of issues-- those under the purview of the State Government, those out of it and those already settled in the democratic process.

On land reforms and issues concerning social and gender justice the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajaskhara Reddy, is "ready to do the extra-mile".

On carving out a separate Telangana, the Government will be helpless as such issues have to be settled with political consensus.

Likewise, the Government will make it clear that it is neither the cause nor the effect for globalisation and liberalisation. As such, it cannot insulate the State from such forces.

Underground cadres

Above all, a major issue of confrontation on October 15 when the two sides will be firing their first salvos across the negotiating table would revolve round the question of allowing underground naxal cadres to carry weapons during peace talks. This issue has so far been kept on the backburner.

PW leaders have already proclaimed that they will fall back on `armed struggle' if the talks fail. They also have stated that a protracted armed struggle is the only way out to liberate the masses from exploitation. Mincing no words, they have said that region-wise political empowerment of people is their goal-- with arms. The Government may yield no ground on this count "as it is a democratically elected one which has the responsibility to maintain law and order to ensure overall development". On economic issues, the Government has no problem in raising funds for implementing its programmes in tune with the Congress' poll promise of putting an end to World Bank's interference.

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