Four days after the operation to end the Maoist takeover of Lalgarh began, there seemed a thaw, with the state Government on Sunday appealing to the Naxalites to lay down arms and come forward for talks. The People�s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) also said they were ready for talks �if the Government stopped operations at Lalgarh�.

�We appeal to the Maoists to lay down arms and cooperate with the Government. The Government is ready to solve the problems of the people there. It does not want any bloodshed. It does not want that people are harmed. The aim of the operation is to restore peace and normalcy in the area,� said Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti after attending a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers� Buildings.

Chakrabarti underlined that talks were possible only if the Maoists laid down arms. �One cannot talk if you point a gun at me,� he said.

At Lalgarh, PCAPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato said they were ready for talks only if the Government stopped operations at Lalgarh.

Twenty-four hours after the state Government claimed they had liberated Lalgarh police station, its main gate remained locked throughout the day, opening only when vehicles of state or Central police personnel entered.

When this correspondent knocked on the gate, a sub-inspector said from inside: �It has been months since someone came and lodged a complaint. It is a security situation, we cannot allow everyone in. We cannot allow you to come in.�

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