The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR reaffirms commitment

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR reaffirms commitment

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 4. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has reaffirmed his Government's commitment to hold talks with naxalites only if the Maoists were prepared to discuss the question of "laying down arms at the end of the day". Talks could begin on this ground and the ambit could later be expanded to cover other issues, he said here today.

In an informal talk with journalists, Dr. Reddy said the police force was Constitutionally-bound to take action against naxalites holding illegal weapons, ruling out a free run to the naxals in villages. Arguing that the Government stand was consistent and democratic from the beginning, he said the change was in the naxalite stand and not in his attitude. The State Government had begun the peace talks process with the People's War but the latter's merger with the Maoists had changed their agenda completely. The Government had committed itself to a socio-economic agenda and had launched several pro-poor measures.

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