Interlocutors withdraw from peace process

With joint security forces stepping up operations in Naxal-dominated areas of Junglemahal,the government-appointed interlocutors for talks with Maoists on Wednesday withdrew from the peace process.

With joint security forces stepping up operations in Naxal-dominated areas of Junglemahal,the government-appointed interlocutors for talks with Maoists on Wednesday withdrew from the peace process. They said if the joint operations continued,there was no point in carrying out with the talks.

In a letter to the chief minister,the interlocutors said: If joint operations are stepped up,there is no scope for the peace process. We do not want to be involved with the process and so we are withdrawing ourselves.

And as the interlocutors walked away,Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Surya Kanta Mishra offered to mediate peace talks with the Maoists. I am ready to take any amount of risk. My party has given me permission for that. I can go to any place and at any time to meet them, Mishra said.

Story continues below this ad

Asked why Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee never went to Junglemahal after Maoists started their activities there,Mishra said it was because the former chief minister faced a threat to his life.

There was a landmine explosion when Bhattacharjee went to Shalboni. The Maoists sentenced him to death. It was Kishenji who uttered the sentence, Mishra said.

Minister for Commerce and Industries Partha Chatterjee countered that if Mishra was indeed serious,he should send an application to the state government.

Director General of Police Naparajit Mukherjee said the state government was open to talks but the offensive would go on.

Story continues below this ad

The peace talks will go on. But if a murder takes place,investigation will be done and punishment will be meted out. They will have to stop criminal activities. We ask the Maoists to lay down arms and come for talks, the DGP said.

Mukherjee said the state government would ask for more central forces if the need arose. He said of the two Naga jawans injured in Tuesday gun-battle,the condition of one who was shot in the head was critical.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram