Govt rejects Maoists' conditional talks offer

Home Minister P Chidambaram has rejected the conditional offer of talks by Maoists asking them for a "simple statement" of abjuring violence without "ifs and buts".

"I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions," Chidambaram said in a statement in New Delhi, a day after the CPI-Maoists made a conditional ceasefire offer provided the government halted the offensive against them for 72 days and involve mediators for talks.

Nevertheless, in order to clear the air, the Home Minister said: "I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoist) saying 'We will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks'."

Chidambaram said he would like the statement to be faxed to Home Ministry number 011-23093155.

"Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly," he said.

Hours after the Minister's statement, top Maoist leader Kishenji came out with a counter offer.

He said the Centre should first take the initiative of declaring a ceasefire and left a number for Chidambaram to call.

"The Union Home Ministry should take the first initiative of declaring ceasefire and has to issue a written statement to the media. After examining it we will fax our response to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister," Kishenji told PTI in Kolkata from an undisclosed location.

"Union Home Minister P Chidambaram can call us up on this number -- 9734695789 on February 25 (the day to be observed as Remembrance Day by Maoists) at 5:00 pm in the evening and speak to us. We will respond to his call," Kishenji said.