Naxals set agenda for crucial talks with state govt

The distribution of land to the poor, creation of a separate state for Telangana, total prohibition, self-reliance and democratic empowerment of the poor and reservation for minorities are among the issues to be raised by the naxalites during their historic direct talks with the Andhra Pradesh government slated for October 15.

The contours of the Maoist agenda became clear as emissaries of People's War Group (PWG) and Janasakthi, the two important left extremist organisations, held a marathon meeting with home minister K Jana Reddy here today to discuss modalities for the talks.

The PWG emissaries "� revolutionary Balladeer Gaddar, writers Varavara Rao and Kalyan Rao "� and Janasakthi leader Chandranna submitted a charter of demands that would be raised during the October 15 parleys.

Apart from the home minister, municipal administration minister K Ranga Rao, social welfare minister Reddyanaik and six government-appointed mediators, comprising civil rights leaders, academicians and journalists, participated in the agenda-setting consultations.

Calling for a series of steps to create a 'democratic environment', the extremist organisations demanded an end to what they called 'World Bank dictated economic policies', re-orientation in priorities to ensure rapid agricultural development, total prohibition, Telangana statehood, release of all political prisoners and withdrawal of cases against people who had participated in mass agitations and distribution of land to the poor.

The emissaries also presented a 10-point charter of modalities for the crucial talks.

They include withdrawal of rewards on the heads of revolutionary leaders, disbanding 'police-sponsored' action groups targeting naxalites, safe passage and protection for naxalite leaders participating in talks and holding of negotiations in Warangal, Vizag, Guntur and Anantapur.

The Maoist organisations wanted the talks to be held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and in democratic spirit.

They also sought flexibility for both sides to "change their representatives in case of a special situation" and wanted the government and police officials to desist from making any statements that might vitiate the atmosphere.

They also demanded that the ceasefire monitoring committee should have powers to go into cases of violations.

Earlier on October 2, the PWG had nominated its top leader and state secretary Ramakrishna, secretary of AP-Orissa border special zonal committee Sudhakar and north Telangana special zonal committee member Ganesh to represent the Maoist organisation in the parleys.

This is the first time in the history of the revolutionary movement that top naxalite leaders will be participating in direct talks with the government.

The three key leaders of PWG, considered the most dreaded among Left extremist outfits, will attend a martyrs' memorial meeting at Guttikondabilam in Guntur district on October 11 before proceeding to the state capital.