A day after Home Minister P Chidamabaram termed Maoist leader Kishenji's truce offer as 'bizarre', the government extended an olive branch to the Left Wing extremists on Wednesday, asking them to ensure ceasefire for 72 hours to facilitate talks.
Top government officials have said Kishenji's offer for talks may be considered if he could ensure complete ceasefire for 72 hours.
Chidamabaram had termed the truce offer by the Maoist leader as 'bizarre' while underlining double standards adopted by the extremists.
Within six days of Kishenji's offer of talks, Maoists have carried out 18 serious attacks on security forces and civilians, killing 11 people.
Chidamabaram said he had offered to facilitate talks with the Communist Party of India-Maoist, provided they abjured violence.
"There was no meaningful response to that offer. Nevertheless, on February 23, I responded that if the CPI-Maoist made a short, simple and unconditional statement that they would abjure violence, the government will be prepared to hold talks with them. I have received no response to my statement," he had said.
