Jharkhand to involve human rights groups for talks with Maoists

Jharkhand has decided to involve human rights groups to hold dialogue with Maoists and said it has "moved some distance on this initiative".

"We are on proper channel," home secretary JB Tubid said, adding it would be premature to give specific names of human rights groups which could take on the role of the interlocutor to facilitate talks.

Asked about the time frame for initiating the dialogue, he said, "We have moved some distance on this initiative but cannot fix any time frame."

On why there could not be talks during the past nine years, Tubid said, "An elected government can offer talks. The government is trying to open its mind that they (Maoists) are ready for talks."

Chief minister Shibu Soren soon after being sworn-in on December 30 had offered to hold dialogues with the Maoists.

The Maoists, however, blasted a landmine and killed eight policemen and a civilian at Gumla last week.