Overcoming initial hiccups on the arms issue, the Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday invited Naxalite leaders for direct, unconditional talks on October 2, assuring them a safe passage.
"I have sent a letter to the People's War emissary Varavara Rao today inviting all revolutionary groups for direct talks with the government," Home Minister K Jana Reddy said at a press conference in Hyderabad.
The talks will be held in Hyderabad at a venue to be decided in consultation with Naxalite groups, Reddy said.
Significantly, the state government decided on the date for the talks just a couple of days after a conference of chief ministers of nine Naxalite-affected states was organised by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
Reddy declined to divulge the agenda for the talks. "All issues will be discussed in the first round of the peace talks, including Clause 7, relating to the condition that Naxalites should not carry arms during the period of the talks," he said.
Reddy condemned the assault on a police constable at a public meeting of People's War at Mudigubba village in Anantapur district on Wednesday evening. "Such incidents should not occur when the government is exercising utmost restraint during the peace process. All those responsible for the incident will be brought to book. Investigation is on by the police to identify the assailants involved in the arrack," he said.
Reddy said henceforth all public meetings of People's War and other Naxalite groups would be provided with police bandobust to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.