Andhra Pradesh   

Doors open for talks with naxals: Rajasekhara Reddy

Special Correspondent

The condition for laying down arms stays; shoot orders denied

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has said that the door for talks with naxalites is open even now, subject to condition that they lay down arms.

He has denied a charge that the Government has issued orders to the police to shoot naxalites at sight. "All steps taken by the police are within the law. No illegal activity is allowed. No shoot-at-sight orders are in force," Dr. Reddy emphasised at an informal chat with reporters on Monday. The Chief Minister indicated that the two-pronged strategy to tackle naxalite problem — development of remote areas and police action — would continue.

He expressed unhappiness at occupation of Government lands at Visakhapatnam by CPI (M), and stated "if anybody can occupy whatever land is available, why should there be a Government?" He said steps had been taken to provide houses to the poor, citing construction of a record number of 20 lakh houses this year under Indiramma, apart from incurring an expenditure of Rs. 500 crore on providing sites.

The Chief Minister presented a progress report on his performance during two and a half years, describing it as "steady". If determined, one can do any "big thing", he observed, referring to the "swift execution" of irrigation projects. On the complaint that he had falsely declared assets to the Election Commission, Dr. Reddy said: "Every action of mine is open and transparent." Asked to react on the Margadarsi Financiers' contention that the Government had no power to appoint an official on its affairs, he said: "Let court decide the matter."

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