Jharkhand Govt to consider Maoists' conditions for talks: Soren - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Saturday said that his government is ready to consider the conditions proposed by the Maoists for talks, if only they discontinue their violent and disruptive acts in the region. Soren said this on the sidelines of a function to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Reportedly, the Maoists have put forth conditions for talks with Jharkhand Government including lifting the ban on the outfit and immediate release of some of their leaders. "I have heard about the conditions put forth by the Maoists. I will read them and then I will see what to do. By the way what kind of conditions do they have?" Soren said Commenting on the demand to release arrested Maoists cadres Soren said: "If they say so, then the government will decide accordingly. But they should stop the violence and mayhem they create in the State." Among the other demands for the peace talks are closure of Operation Green Hunt and award of punishment to the police and intelligence officers responsible for fake encounters. On Thursday, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had also asked the Maoists to come forward for a dialogue and abjure violence. In view of all these developments, Soren said that he is considering the conditions put forth by the Maoists.