HYDERABAD, 17 May 2004 — In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh police have stopped combing operations against the outlawed People’s War Group of Naxalites with immediate effect.
This follows the new Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s call to the police to create a congenial atmosphere for talks with the PWG to find a lasting solution to the vexatious issue that has persisted for the last 36 years.
Director General of Police S.R. Sukumara issued orders directing the Greyhound (elite anti-extremist commando) units to “fall back” from their positions and asking the AP special police and district police to stop combing operations against the Naxalites.
“Our forces have stopped their operations against the Naxalites. We won’t attack Naxals until they are silent. We will facilitate talks between the state government and the Naxalites,” the DGP said.
The Congress, which stormed into power riding on an anti-incumbency wave against the Telugu Desam regime in the state, had promised in its election manifesto to hold a dialogue with the PWG.
The Congress blamed the previous TDP government for the misery of a large section of the people, leading to an unprecedented spurt in the extremist (Naxalite) activities in the state.
