Naveen Patnaik opposes talks with Maoists until they abjure violence

Orissa government today opposed any talks with out-lawed CPI (Maoists) until they shun the path of violence.

"I have repeatedly said there should be no talks with Maoists until they give up arms," Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters in Bhubaneswar a day after the Left Wing extremists offered a conditional 72-day cease fire.

Stating that the state government had not so far received any message either from the Maoists or the central government regarding the offer, Patnaik said he came to know about this from the media.

"I understand that they (Maoists) have given the offer through media," he said, adding the state government was against any kind of talks with them because they did not create an atmosphere for peaceful dialogue.

Patnaik, who attended two recent meetings with Union home minister P Chidambaram over the Maoists issue, had categorically said the state had no hesitation to launch a joint operation against Maoists as they are stuck to the path of violence.