AP govt invites PWG for talks

Taking the peace initiative with the People's War Group (PWG) further the Congress government in the state on Tuesday extended a formal invitation for talks to the outlawed naxalites.

While reiterating the government's preparedness for the proposed talks with the extremists, state Home Minister K Jana Reddy appealed to the PWG leaders to come out with an agenda to initiate the talks, at the earliest.

He also appealed to the naxal leaders to suggest names in the proposed committee to be set up by the state government for the purpose of facilitating the much-awaited talks.

Addressing a press conference, the home minister said that the state government would take all possible steps to ensure a fruitful dialogue with the naxalites.

But Reddy gave no categorical replies to the open letter from the PWG which sought clarifications on the three issues of declaring a ceasefire, removal of rewards announced earlier on the heads of the underground naxalites and on allowing them to conduct peaceful political activity in the villages.

The minister pointed out that government had already instructed the police to stop combing operations.

Though the government had recently withdrawn the policy of giving away rewards to police for shooting down naxalites, it had retained the policy in part wherein it would apply in instances where the naxals were caught alive.

In a latest statement the naxalites have demanded that the rewards systems be done away totally. The PWG has also raised objections to a recent statement by chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who appealed to the naxalites to keep away from villages.

The home minister said that the government would consider issues raised by the PWG positively.