Hyderabad: In a significant development, the outlawed CPI Maoist group has offered peace talks and a ceasefire after two decades of conflict. Abhay, the official spokesperson of the CPI Maoist Central Committee, made the announcement, appealing to the Chhattisgarh government and the Union Home Ministry to halt encounters and respond positively to their peace overture.
The Maoists have faced substantial setbacks in recent years, with nearly 300 encounter deaths and numerous surrenders following Operation Kagar. The Home Minister has expressed confidence in addressing the extremist issue within a year, noting a reduction in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts from nine to six.
This move recalls the 2004 peace talks initiated by the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, then Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, and his Home Minister K. Jana Reddy. The talks, held at Praja Bhavan, were seen as an experimental approach to resolving the conflict. However, many key leaders from that time are no longer alive.
Reflecting on the 2004 talks, Prof Hargopal, distinguished political scientist and human rights activist credited the initiative to the leadership of Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and K. Jana Reddy. He expressed skepticism about the BJP’s ideological stance supporting peace talks but emphasized the importance of awaiting the Centre’s response to this new proposal. As a peace lover, her said one should welcome the initiative, whichever form it comes, to restore peace.
