'Can't understand what WB govt is trying to do'

The West Bengal government's move to provide a fax and a phone number to get information on the whereabouts of a kidnapped intelligence officer and his friend by Maoists will not help bring the ultras to the negotiating table, say social and human rights activists.

Citing the instance of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram giving a fax number to Maoists on February 23 for conveying their proposals, social activist Swami Agnivesh told PTI, "This was done previously by Chidambaram, but did not yield any result and so it is clear that this is not the way to bring Maoists to the negotiating table."

Agnivesh, who had been making efforts in arranging talks between the government and Maoists, said the government should try to open a channel of communication and then give a concrete proposal if it was really serious in creating an ambience for dialogue.

Intelligence Bureau officer Partha Biswas and his friend Soumyajit Basu were abducted from the Ayodhya area of Purulia district by suspected Maoists.

Speaking in a similar vein, human rights activist Sujato Bhadra said, "I cannot understand what the West Bengal government is trying to do.

"They are expecting the Maoists to call them up and say that they are ready for talks. Is it possible?"

"I am doubtful about the seriousness of the state government. A fortnight after the abduction, the government suddenly comes up with two numbers. This is not the way to solve the problem," Bhadra said.

A noted sociologist said on condition of anonymity that the Centre had no problem in talking to terrorists in Kashmir and insurgents in the North East, "but when it comes to Maoists, the government is extremely snobbish. This is very mysterious."

"The government should hold talks, establish peace, take up development measures and allow peace to prevail. These are four steps through which normalcy can be achieved."

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Surojit Kar Purokayastha said a phone and fax number had been provided for those responsible for the abduction of Biswas and Basu to come forward for talks.

On the Centre's efforts earlier in this direction coming to a naught, he replied, "We have done this with honest intention to get a positive response from the other side. Let us see what happens."