Government willing to talk to Naxals if they give up arms: Rajnath Singh

Asking Maoists to shun the path of violence, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said Government was willing to talk to Naxals provided they give up arms and come to the negotiating table.

Singh was addressing a news conference here on completion of 100 days of his ministry during which he spoke on a wide range of issues including prospects of holding talks with Pakistan, border and internal security situation and visa regulation.

On the Naxal issue, the Home Minister categorically said that talks with Left Wing Extremists were possible if they shun the path of violence.

"We are ready to talk to anyone who leave the path of violence. We have even asked their ideologues to come to negotiating table," he said.

On possible talks with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during the forthcoming SAARC meeting in Nepal, Singh said if neighbours work on expected lines, talks are not impossible.

"Padosi agar apeksha ke anuroop kaam karen, toh baatcheet kyun nahi ho sakti (if neighbours work on expected lines, then why can't talks take place)," Singh replied.

Singh said that the first 100 days of his ministry were focused on fulfilling the promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto which included working out steps for return of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley.

"We have ensured that there is no mismatch between words and deeds," he said.

He said the Government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants and talks were underway with all stake holders for building confidence among them to return to the Valley. The Home Minister, in response to a question, said the Kashmiri migrants did not include Pandits only but also Sikhs and members of other groups who had left the Valley after the onset of militancy in late 1989.