CPI (Maoist): Chhattisgarh Government Must Create Conditions Conducive To Peace Talks

Raipur District, May 18, 2022: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has said that it was up to the government of Chhattisgarh state to create a conducive atmosphere for holding peace talks.

“We had shown our willingness to hold talks and made our stand clear. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s reiteration that his government was ready to hold talks if they expressed faith in the Constitution and his silence shows that the government is adamant,” CPI (Maoist) Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee spokesperson, Comrade Vikalp, said in a statement on Monday night.

Pointing out that home minister Tamradwaj Sahu had made a statement that any such talks could be held unconditionally, the Maoists said, “We want to make it clear that talks could be held only if the atmosphere is conducive. No peace talks are possible when there is aerial attack, repression and threats from security forces,” the statement read.

The statement said, “if the government is honest about holding talks, it should create a suitable atmosphere.” The statement said the Maoists had not put any pre-conditions but had only wanted withdrawal of the ban on the party and its frontal organizations, opportunity to work freely, stopping aerial strikes, removal of camps of security forces and withdrawal of forces from strife-torn areas and release of their jailed leaders so that talks could take place.

“Whenever the talks take place, real issues could be discussed,” the statement said.

Earlier, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel had maintained that his government was ready to hold talks with the Maoists if they expressed faith in the Constitution.

The Maoists have shown willingness to hold peace talks with the Bhupesh Baghel-led dispensation, but also set several conditions, including the release of their jailed leaders and withdrawal of security forces from strife-torn areas.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/govt-must-create-conducive-environment-for-peace-talks/articleshow/91628037.cms