New Delhi: In response to a demand by the CPI (ML) – New Democracy for unconditional peace talks between the Government of India and CPI (Maoist), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said that any such dialogue will only be possible after an unconditional laying down of arms by the Naxalites.
The Government has also refuted allegations by the CPI (ML) – New Democracy that innocent tribals have been killed by security forces during their operations against armed Maoists.
“The Union home minister has made it very clear that any negotiations will only be possible after an unconditional surrender by the Left Wing Extremists. The Government has already set a deadline to rid the country of Naxalite-related violence by March 31, 2026. Armed Maoist guerillas are getting killed in encounters with security forces. The Government does not want anybody to die. All they have to do is surrender. We can then discuss all issues. None of the Naxalites who have surrendered till now have been harmed,” a senior MHA official said.
The Government believes that this demand has come up after top Maoist commanders, including Hidma, have been surrounded by thousands of security forces at the Korregutta hills along the border of Chhattisgarh and Telengana. Even the CPI (ML) – New Democracy has mentioned this ongoing operation in its demand.
“It seems that the top Maoist leadership is now really concerned about their own safety. In the past, they did not pay any heed when we repeatedly asked them to lay down arms to prevent further bloodshed. The security forces have not killed a single innocent tribal. Rather, innocent tribals have fallen victim to IEDs set up by the Maoists. Recently, a poor woman was killed in a blast in Chhattisgarh,” the MHA official said.
He claimed that local villagers have started benefitting from schemes introduced by the governments – both central and state.
“The Maoists have lost support from locals who they ill-treated and forced into submission. The villagers are now feeling empowered and safe. Through the CPI (ML) – New Democracy, we would again urged the CPI (Maoist) leaders to lay down their arms and come to the talks table,” he added.
