HYDERABAD, 5 January 2005 — Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that the Andhra Pradesh government is committed to continuing the talks with the Maoist rebels. In a letter to People’s Union for Civil Liberties President K.G. Kannabiran, the prime minister also made it clear that there is no intention on the part of the state government to discontinue the present understanding with the Naxalite groups that neither side will undertake offensive operations against each other.
“I am aware of the developments with regard to the peace talks and that some problems are yet to be resolved. Nevertheless, our commitment to try to make the talks successful remains unaltered, and we hope that the CPI (Maoist) leaders would cooperate with us,” Singh said. “The first round of talks in October 2004 appeared to be quite satisfactory, though certain issues need to be clarified. The state government is concerned at the open display of arms by Naxalite cadres during their visits to villages against the spirit and letter of Clause 7 of the agreement arrived at between the two sides,” he said.
