Karnataka extends olive branch to Maoists

Government is ready to extend an olive branch to Maoists if they gave up arms, Karnataka Home Minister, R Ashoka, said on Saturday.

"Let the Maoists drop their arms and join the mainstream. But if they continue their activities, police is capable of dealing with them", he told reporters after inaugurating the Mangalore Police Commissionerate in Mangalore.

Ashoka said about 15 Maoists from other parts of the country have joined a group in the state according to inputs gathered by police.

He said police have been keeping a constant vigil on Maoist activities and also curbing it.