Centre must hold talks with Maoists: Raman

Raipur, Nov 13 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take an initiative to hold talks with all concerned parties to find a solution to the Naxalite problem.

Talking to UNI here, he welcomed the developments in Nepal, where the Maoists have agreed to join the political mainstream, after holding talks with the government of the Himalayan Kingdom.

Stating that the initiative for such a talks with the Communist Party of India (Maoists) must come from the Centre, Dr Singh said he would call on Dr Singh soon to discuss the matter.

The Chief Minister said Naxalism was not a problem being faced by Chhattisgarh alone but a population of more than 30 crore, spread over in several states, were affected by it.

''Being an inter-state problem, a solution is not possible without the Centre's intervention,'' he added.

Dr Singh said he felt that there was a need to formulate a policy at the national level for the rehabilitation of Naxals, who were keen to surrender and return to the national mainstream.

He said the state government had already formulated a rehabilitation package to motivate Naxalites to surrender.

Referring to killing of poor and innocent people by Naxalites, in the tribal areas, the Chief Minister said the Maoists must realise violence and bloodshed cannot solve any problem.

UNI AS-JJ PS PA BS1603