Talks can be held with Maoists only if they give up arms: CPI(M)

Noting that talks with Maoists could take place only if they give up arms, the CPI(M) today said it was for the Centre and respective states to draw up the strategy to fight the menace but did not favour using armed forces to tackle it.

Party politbureau member Sitaram Yechury said Maoists will have to give up arms if they wanted dialogue and only then political process could follow.

"It is for the Centre and respective state governments to draw up their strategy to tackle naxalism. Whatever means they (Centre and States) have to adopt, it is for them to decide," Yechury told reporters.

However, Yechury was not in favour of using armed forces to tackle the Maoist menace. "Armed forces were used in such circumstances very rarely. It is not right to involve them in disputes between two groups of people," he said.

Biman Bose, another politbureau member and Bengal CPI(M) secretary, also echoed similar views.

"How will we have dialogue with those who do not believe in democracy and carry arms. If they give up arms and strengthen the democracy, then talks should happen," Bose told reporters.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee met home minister P Chidambaram and discussed problems relating to tackling of Maoist violence and coordinated action against the menace with neighbouring states.