The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Guntur News : Give peace a chance, says Sukumara

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Monday, Jan 17, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Guntur

Give peace a chance, says Sukumara

By Our Staff Reporter

GUNTUR, JAN. 16. Talks between the Government and the CPI (Maoists) can continue even today. "Not everything is lost," says the former Director General of Police (DGP), S.R. Sukumara.

The State Government genuinely gave a chance to peace by initiating a dialogue process with Maoists and lifting a ban on their party, but it was the lack of coherence in statements by leaders of the party and frontal organisations that led to total confusion among their cadre, he said on Sunday.

Mr. Sukumara, who was here to attend a cultural programme, denied the allegations that the police did not want peace.

Civilians vulnerable

Civilians and politicians were comparatively more vulnerable when compared to the police, as they possessed weapons to protect themselves. Statistics prove this fact. While about 4,000 civilians were killed by naxalites, only 560 police personnel had become victims of their violence, he said.

"The Government is aware that Maoists gained strength during the period of ceasefire, but in a democratic society peace has to be given a chance and society believed that Maoists made genuine efforts for peace," he opined.

Carrying weapons to villages and public meetings and planting landmines after the dialogue process began was proof for their lack of commitment, he said. Landmines were found in nine places, which were planted in the past three months, he added.

The police also want peace as they had other aspects to look into, which got sidelined due to the naxalite problem, he observed. Mr. Sukumara wishes to write a book on his experiences in the police force.

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Give peace a chance, says Sukumara