The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Stage set for talks with naxals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Stage set for talks with naxals

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 14. The stage is set for the eagerly-awaited talks between the State Government and leaders of the People's War and the Janashakti on Friday with the contentious issue of allowing the naxalite cadre to carry weapons remaining unresolved.

While the Government is seeking a solution within the Constitutional framework, the naxalites remain committed to waging an "armed struggle" against the State.

Strategy sessions

Both sides fine-tuned their strategies after internal consultations today for the "encounter" across the table.

The outcome of the historic peace talks is bound to have an influence on other States facing a similar situation.

In a last-minute development, the PW announced its merger with the Maoist Communist Centre of India and christened the combine "Communist Party of India (Maoists).'' Henceforth, the PW will participate in the talks under this banner.

Arrangements in place

Elaborate arrangements have been made at the Dr. Marri Channa Reddy HRD Institute in posh Jubilee Hills for holding the talks. Detailed planning has gone into every aspect to accommodate the 28 designated representatives.

The Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, will act as an ombudsman.

The dialogue will begin at 10 a.m. and last up to 5 p.m. The initial idea is to restrict the exercise to three days but it may be extended if there is a forward movement.

The Government has not yet indicated its mind to have the second phase of the talks at Warangal, Guntur and Visakhapatnam as sought by the PW.

People across the State are keenly watching the Government's action in extending the olive branch to naxalites in a bid to end three decades of violence by left wing extremists. Leaders of Dalits, tribals and backward classes and minorities have been thronging the Manjeera guest house to shower praise on the PW leader, Ramakrishna and his comrades and seek justice on one issue or the other.

The Telugu Desam maintained a stiff upper lip on the initiative while its ally, the BJP, appreciated it and hoped for positive results.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti president, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said he would not be meeting RK.

In Visakhapatnam, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president, D. Srinivas, said the party was optimistic about the outcome of the talks.

"Let us wish that the initiative will be successful," he replied when asked to comment on the talks.

He said all issues raised by naxalites, which could be implemented, would be accepted by the Government.

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