The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : No alternative to peace talks: ex-Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 16, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

No alternative to peace talks: ex-Minister

Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA: The former Minister and the Government's representative in the talks with the Maoists, T. Purushottam Rao, has stressed the need for the Government to take steps for the success of peace talks with Maoists.

"The talks are a historic inevitability. It is the responsibility of the Government to utilise the opportunity and ensure that they bear fruit," he said. At the same time, he has advised the Maoists not to indulge in violence, as it would derail the peace process.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Rao said that while the Governments and people in general were already facing the ill effects of globalisation and liberalisation, which were threatening their employment opportunities, the continuance of violence by revolutionary groups was further destabilising their lives.

The revolutionary parties involved in the armed struggle were by themselves a divided lot lacking a proper direction.

In this backdrop, there was a need to establish long-term peace in the State for which continuing the negotiations was the only solution.

Though the process of negotiations had already commenced with the Maoists positively responding to the Government's invitation, there was a "communication gap" at various levels between the two groups.

This was evident from the statements being issued by the Government and the Maoists.

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