The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Eschew violence: APCC chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 24, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Eschew violence: APCC chief

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 23. The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president, K. Keshava Rao, has reiterated his stand that the Maoists should drop arms and create a conducive atmosphere for continuation of the peace talks.

Speaking at a seminar on `National integration - Internal security' organised by the Citizen's Forum for Democracy here on Sunday, Mr. Rao said there was need to honour the democratic process and any decision should be taken within the framework of the Constitution.

"Both sides should allow the democratic process to play its full role," he said and added that talks should not be held for the sake of talks. He appealed to the Maoists to put an end to the reign of terror because of which people were running away from the rural areas.

He said: "It is my humble appeal to the naxalites to observe restraint and create conducive atmosphere." He expressed confidence that the talks would continue and end on a fruitful note. The Government was sincere in its effort to find a lasting solution to the issue. The naxalites had raised some social issues, which they intended to tackle in their own way, he added.

Mr. Rao said that there was need to bridge the rural-urban divide failing which problems could arise. The gap between the rich and the poor has also widened and steps should be taken to avoid an ugly situation.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh