Left stand on talks with naxalites upsets SUCI

The Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) has criticised the CPI(M) for imposing pre-conditions for talks with naxalite outfits in West Bengal alleging that the Left Front government wanted to keep alive the problem and continue 'state-sponsored' oppression in the name of tackling extremism.

"It is clear from the CPIM) pre-conditions for talks that instead of trying to find out a solution to the naxalite problem, both the CPI(M) and the state government want to keep it alive and continue state-sponsored oppression in the name of tackling the extremists," Socialist Unity Centre of India state general secretary Pravas Ghosh, told reporters here.

The Socialist Unity Centre of India is a Left party outside the ruling Left Front.

He said though his party did not agree with the political views and activities of the naxalite groups, the demands raised by them originated from the protests of 'oppressed' people.

If the ''bourgeoisie government in Andhra Pradesh could agree to sit with the naxalite groups unconditionally, why was the Left Front government in West Bengal averse to talks?'' he asked.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee had said recently that there was no ground to negotiate with the Maoist Communist Centre and the People's War Group in the state whose leaders are slipping into West Bengal from Andhra Pradesh, going about armed and seeking sanctuary here.

CPI(M) state secretary Anil Biswas had said yesterday that naxalite outfits must give up violence and return to democracy.