Congress stages walk out on naxal issue

Bangalore, July 11 (UNI) The JD(S)-BJP Government in Karnataka today asked naxalites to lay down arms and come for dialogue even as the Opposition Congress walked out of the State Assembly unhappy over Government's stand.

Replying to a discussion on the encounter in Chikmagalur district yesterday in which five naxals were gunned down by the police, Home Minister M P Prakash said the Government was committed to have a dialogue with naxalites. But they should lay down arms and cooperate with the Government, he added.

Mr Prakash said those killed in the encounter were involved in anti-social activities and passed records to the maoist group. It was the Government's duty to ensure safety to public life and property, he added.

Unsatisfied with the reply, the Congress members led by leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh staged a walkout and Speaker Krishna adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier, the minister said the anti-naxal squad had intensified combing operations in Wadeyarmath area in Chikmagalur district, looking out for two naxal, who escaped after yesterday's encounter.

He said the police had seized arms and ammunition including a sten gun, country-made pistol and live cartridges from the spot where they had exchanged fire against the naxals yesterday. The Government was examining the details of the five activists, who died in the firing, he added.

He said the police constable, who suffered head injury, had been admitted to Manipal Hospital in Udupi district.

Mr Singh described the encounter as false and the bullet could not silence the naxal movement as it is a socio-economic issue with a different ideology and philosophy.

He said the Government should hold talks with people concerned and take up development programmes in the areas where the naxals were operating.

The House witnessed a heated exchange between the opposition members and ruling party members when the BJP member Sunil Kumar from Karkal justified the police encounter and asked for the additional police force for the area.

UNI