The Hindu : National : Patil rules out talks with naxalites

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Monday, Apr 03, 2006

National

National

Patil rules out talks with naxalites

Plan being prepared to protect passengers, railway property

Shivraj Patil

Ranchi: Ruling out any dialogue with the Maoists, who have stepped up violence in some States, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Sunday said a plan to protect passengers and railway property, often targeted by them, was underway. "Why should we offer talks?" he countered when asked by newsmen here. "We have asked the State (Jharkhand Government) and RPF (Railway Protection Force) to sit together and decide as to how protection could be given to passengers," Mr. Patil said when asked about steps taken following the seizure of a local train at Latehar by the Communist Party of India (Maoist) recently. "If the State is in a position to do it, let them do it. If the railway police can do it let them do it. And if they want some assistance from the Centre we will do it. We are preparing a plan," he said.

He said a few "unfortunate" deaths due to naxal activities were interpreted by the media as a proof of non-functioning by the Government and this would only instil fear among the people. Mr. Patil said he wondered why the media was pitting the State versus the Centre on the naxal issue.

The Centre had assured the Jharkhand Government all help to deal with the menace, he said.

Mr. Patil said he held a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Arjun Munda and State Home Minister Sudesh Mahato at which the Latehar deputy commissioner Kamal Kishore Soan apprised him of the situation in the district.

The meeting was held after a round of deliberations in New Delhi a few days ago. "We had an elaborate discussion on the State Government's efforts towards good governance, steps being taken up by the State police to deal with Maoists and what steps should be taken to solve the problem."

The meeting, he said, should help the Centre and Jharkhand to reach a solution on the Maoist issue. "There is, however, scope for improvement," he said. — PTI

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