Naxals will drop weapons demand: YSR

Andhra Pradesh Chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today expressed confidence that the People’s War would drop its demand to carry wea...

Andhra Pradesh Chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today expressed confidence that the People’s War would drop its demand to carry weapons in villages, facilitating start of talks with the Naxals.

Reddy told reporters that problems would arise if Naxals were allowed to move about in villages, carrying weapons. ‘‘I am sure they will come around, and I appeal to them…in the interest of peace in the state.’’

Reports from Hyderabad suggested that the group had backed out of a clause in an agreement signed with the government through their representatives not to carry weapons in villages and that the Naxals’ stand was delaying the start of the talks.

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Reddy argued that allowing Naxals to carry unauthorised weapons might encourage ‘‘factional leaders’’ in parts of the State to follow suit.

Asked if the ceasefire with Naxals would continue, he said: ‘‘As long as it is necessary, it will continue. I am sure that there will be a fruitful conclusion.’’

On incidents of suicides by farmers and weavers in AP, he said: ‘‘It’s not an overnight affair. The farmers’ economic status is in the doldrums.’’

He said the government plans to extend irrigation facilities to an additional 65 lakh acres over the next five years,with an investment of Rs 46,000 crore.

The police said that Kumar, a resident of Turbhe MIDC in Navi Mumbai, was driving his concrete mixer truck when it collided with an SUV.

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