Jharkhand ready to talk to Maoists

Ranchi, Aug 15:

Chief Minister Hemant Soren declared Thursday that his government was ready to hold talks with Maoists if they gave up

.

"We are ready for talks with Maoists but they (Maoists) have to first stop violence," the chief minister said in his address on the occasion of India's 67th Independence Day.

Soren unfurled the tricolour at Morabadi ground here.

"Improving law and order situation is a priority," he said, adding that his government proposed to distribute government land among the landless.

He pledged to set up old age homes in each district.

Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmad hoisted the tricolour in the other capital, Dumka.

IANS