PWG proposes talks, Munda still cautious

The letter came a week after Chief Minister Arjun Munda appealed to the Naxals to enter into dialogue with the government. Munda had, on June 12, said his government was seriously contemplating a unilateral ceasefire against banned extremist groups. Before that POTA cases against 145 persons had been withdrawn.

However, today Munda appeared cautious in his response to the offer. Without delving into authenticity of the message, he said: ‘‘It augurs well for the government.’’ Asked to comment on conditions given by PWG for the peace talks, he said what was more important was the desire for peace. ‘‘If Naxals can enter into talks with Andhra government, they can do the same with us .’’

‘‘Only after I return from New Delhi and Mumbai, will I meet my Cabinet colleagues and draw out any strategy (for talks),’’ said Munda when asked at what level he intended to begin the talks. Munda left for New Delhi this afternoon to meet the Prime Minister to demand a Rs-300-crore package for the state.

Meanwhile, in the corridors of power the PWG letter was being scoffed at. ‘‘It’s a balloon floated by Munda with an eye on the February elections,’’ remarked a state leader.

Asked if the letter was genuine, DGP R.R. Prasad replied: ‘‘We have not seen it so far.’’ Another senior IPS officer said: ‘‘We have no idea about it.”