Narender Modi says only talks can resolve Maoist issue

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), May 20 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi on Thursday said only talks can resolve the Maoist issue.

In a seemingly contradicting statement Modi said: "The Maoist issue can be solved through talks. The BJP is forcing the government to take harsh steps on them."

"It is very sad to see that the youngsters are getting themselves involved in the Maoist group," he added.

The BJP had on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should bring the debate on Maoists problem to an end by clarifying his stand on the issue.

"Looking at the seriousness of the issue, the time has come when the Prime Minister should bring this debate to an end. He has to now stand up and clarify his stand," said senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

"The stand will have to clarify why the security agencies, the Home Minister, Home Ministry is finding themselves to be weak and crippled against this fight with the Maoists," he added.

In the latest incident, about 35 people were killed when Maoists blew up a private bus near Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.

The bus was on its way from Dantewada to Sukma. The incident took place near Chingawaram, about nine kilometers from Sukma.

The bus was carrying 20 special police officers (SPO) and over 30 civilians. (ANI)