Shun violence, we are not against talks: Orissa CM tells Maoists

The Orissa government on Monday said it has no hesitation in initiating talks with the Maoists if they agreed to hold discussion within the framework of the constitution after abjuring violence. "However, the Maoists have to first shun violence before the government starts talking to them," Patnaik told the Assembly, adding any discussion with the Naxalites would not be fruitful if they continued with their violence activities.

Stating that though the state government had earlier expressed its desire to initiate peace talks, Patnaik pointed out that there was no positive response from the Maoists. He said the government will also not hesitate to fulfill their demands in public interest if they make demands within the framework of constitution. "The Maoists indulged in guerrilla warfare by using the innocent tribals as shields," he said, adding they had united innocent people against the police and administration.

Geographical situation and socio-economic imbalance in tribal dominated districts helped Maoists to spread violence in certain areas, Patnaik said, adding they (Maoists) succeeded in expanding their activities by using problems like backwardness and linguistic differences.