‘Govt ready for talks if Naxals shun violence’

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday sounded a stern warning to Maoists, saying, “Shun violence or we will make you give up violence”. In the same breath, Mr Singh also offered to hold talks with the Left-wing insurgents to find a lasting solution to the vexed issue of Maoism that has affected 27 districts in the country.

“Our doors are open for talks with Maoists to find a lasting solution for the problem. But, they (Maoists) have to shun the path of violence first. If they are ready to give up violence, talks can take place with them,” said Mr Singh, who was here to review the security situation in conflict zone of Bastar at a high-level meeting with the police and central paramilitary forces here.

“I also reiterate that they (Maoists) should give up violence or they will have to give it up,” he warned.

He, however, tried to parry a query on whether the Centre was planning air operations in Naxal-hit areas as mock exercises on air operations have been carried out at certain places in Bastar recently.

“There is nothing like that. I do not have more to say on this”, he added.

Sources disclosed that Mr Singh expressed his displeasure over the manner in which the police in Bastar was handling media and social activists which has been inviting a lot of negative publicity.