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Key Points

Senior Congress leader K. Keshava Rao has urged the Centre to halt anti-Maoist operations and engage in peace talks. Drawing from Andhra Pradesh's successful 2005 negotiations, he believes dialogue can effectively reduce extremist violence. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy supports this approach, emphasizing the need to address issues through conversation. The Peace Dialogue Committee has also requested government intervention to initiate a ceasefire and meaningful discussions.

Key Points: Keshava Rao Urges Centre to Stop Maoist Operation Talks

  • Congress seeks peaceful resolution to Maoist conflict
  • Telangana CM supports dialogue-based approach
  • Peace Committee requests Centre to initiate talks
  • Historical precedent of successful negotiation exists
3 min read

Congress leader Keshava Rao urges Centre to hold peace talks with Maoists

Congress leader K. Keshava Rao calls for peace dialogue with Maoists, citing Andhra Pradesh's successful 2005 negotiations

"A meaningful dialogue is the best way to stop violence - K. Keshava Rao"

Hyderabad, May 1

Senior Congress leader and Telangana government advisor K. Keshava Rao has urged the Centre to stop ‘Operation Kagar’ and hold peace talks with Maoists.

The former MP strongly resented the anti-Maoist operation launched by the Union Home Ministry.

He said that while violence has no place in democracy, the state must handle Maoist violence tactfully. He admitted that police and armed forces cannot remain silent to violence by the extremists.

Keshava Rao appealed to the Union Government to respond favourably to the offer of extremist groups to open a dialogue for peace. He said such talks precede the extremists giving up their weapons and violence as an ideology. “A meaningful dialogue is the best way to stop violence,” he added.

The senior leader reminded the Centre of the fruitful experience of Andhra Pradesh holding such talks in 2005, which resulted in a drastic decline in Maoist violence. “It is today restricted to a few areas bordering Chhattisgarh in Telangana. The violence must stop and must be stopped,” he added.

Meanwhile, responding to a query at a press conference, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said his government and the Congress party are against violence. “We are against all forms of violence, whether it is by the state, the common man or groups. There should be no violence,” he said.

CM Revanth Reddy said that the Congress party believes that any issue, however big it may be, can be addressed through talks.

He reiterated that the government would make a decision after consultation with the party’s central leadership. He was asked about the request by the Peace Dialogue Committee to take the initiative to convince the Centre to stop the operation and hold talks with the Maoists.

The Peace Dialogue Committee, headed by retired high court judge Justice Chandra Kumar, met the Chief Minister on April 27 and requested him to take the initiative to ensure that the Centre holds peace talks with the Maoists.

The Committee members urged the Chief Minister to persuade the Centre to agree to a ceasefire.

CM Reddy told them that he would consult former home minister and senior leader K. Jana Reddy, who has experience in conducting talks with Maoists.

The Chief Minister told the Peace Committee leaders that his government views Naxalism purely from a social perspective, not as a law and order issue.

The next day (April 28), he discussed the issue with Jana Reddy and Keshava Rao and later told media persons that a decision would be taken after consultation with the party’s central leadership.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul S.
Peace talks are important but we can't ignore how Maoists have killed our jawans and innocent villagers. Dialogue should only happen if they surrender arms first. Our security forces' sacrifices can't be in vain. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
The 2005 Andhra Pradesh example shows dialogue can work. But today's situation is different - Maoists have become more violent. Govt should combine development projects in tribal areas with strict action against armed groups. Both tracks needed.
A
Arjun K.
Why is Congress always soft on Naxals? They kill our police and destroy infrastructure, then ask for talks. First let them stop violence for 6 months to show sincerity. Otherwise it's just drama before elections.
S
Sunita R.
As someone from Chhattisgarh, I've seen both sides. Tribal youth join Maoists when they have no jobs or education. Govt must address root causes - poverty and lack of opportunities. But violence can't be tolerated either. Tough balance.
V
Vikram J.
Talks without preconditions will be seen as weakness. Maoists use ceasefire periods to regroup. Our forces are finally gaining upper hand - why stop now? Development is the real solution, not negotiations with gun-wielding extremists.
N
Neha T.
The social perspective angle makes sense. Many Maoist cadres are misguided youth from poor backgrounds. Rehabilitation programs along with talks could bring them into mainstream. But hardcore leaders must face the law.

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