Intellectuals' group ask govt to respond to Maoists' ceasfire offer

A group of intellectuals today appealed to the government to respond to the CPI-Maoist's truce offer immediately in the interests of common people.

Welcoming the Maoist announcement of a 72-day ceasefire, the intellectuals under the aegis of 'Citizens Initiative for Peace' said, "this opportunity should not be missed. Armed operations by government and Maoists should cease immediately, so that dialogue can begin."

"We recall that home minister P Chidambaram had said that the government would be willing to talk if the Maoists abjured
violence for 72 hours. We had earlier welcomed that statement. From this development it appears that both sides have accepted the necessity for talks," they said.

The statement was signed by activists and intellectuals including Manoranjan Mohanty, KB Saxena, Sumit Chakravarty, Nandini Sundar, Ujjwal Singh and Shalini Gera.

The members of the Citizens for Peace Initiative include former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray, former Delhi high court chief justice Rajindar Sachar and writer Mahasweta Devi.

Last night, top Maoist leader Kishenji said that "state governments and the Centre should not indulge in violence between February 25 and May 7 and concentrate on development of tribal areas which will be reciprocated by Maoists".

Responding to the ceasefire offer by Maoists, government today made it clear that it will not accept any pre-conditions for talks with "ifs and buts" and asked the militants to come out with a simple statement saying they will abjure  violence.