Naxals suggest Oct 13 for talks with AP government

The People's War and Janashakti groups of naxalites on Friday suggested October 13 as the date for direct talks with the Andhra Pradesh government.

PW emissaries Vara Vara Rao, Gaddar and G Kalyan Rao and Janashakti emissaries Ch Srinivas Rao and Chandranna made this suggestion in a letter delivered to Home Minister K Jana Reddy.

Earlier, the government had invited them for talks on October 2, but their representatives -- PW state secretary Ramakrishna and Janashakti secretary Amar -- expressed their inability to come.

The letter informed that the senior leaders of the two Maoist parties would come for talks and requested the government to make arrangements accordingly.

The development came a day after the two outfits organised an impressive rally in Hyderabad.

At the rally, the emissaries unveiled their agenda for the talks -- the issues of land to tillers, peace and democratic rights of the people and other things like ban on gutkha, release of political prisoners on Republic Day, reservations for Muslims, etc.

The minister said he would take a final decision on the date after discussing the issue with the mediators on October 5. "The talks could take place on October 13 or 14. But I will let you know on October 5."

Reddy said that he would also discuss the agenda with the mediators.