IHRO] PUCL-AP call for unconditional talks between Govt-Maoists
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) – Andhra Pradesh unit deplored over growing violence in various parts of the country due to war like situation between the Government armed forces and banned CPI (Maoists) cadre. A round table conference organized in Hyderabad on August 21, 2010, in association with local human rights group Surakha, welcomed the call for talks from the highest authorities in the Government of India, including President and Prime Minister and also positive response from the Maoists.
However, the meeting felt that pre-conditions listed out by two sides may not reflect their sincerity towards finding a solution in peaceful and democratic way by sitting together. It suggested that both sides should show their sincerity by unilateral initiatives that creates conducive environment for talks. The Government of India and Maoists should take lead in facilitating talks at national level, it said.
PUCL-AP felt that it was ordinary, poor and marginalized people mostly victims of present violent environment existed in various parts of the country due to war-like situation. Stating that thousands of poor people are forced to leave from their villages losing their livelihood, it said the violent environment creating unprecedented inhuman conditions.
PUCL-AP General Secretary Jaya Vindhyala said that they have been trying to convince both Government and also the naxal groups to resolve their problems across table with out resorting to violence since 1999. PUCL-AP organized several round table conferences by brining together leaders of political parties, civil society organizations, human rights groups, intellectuals and mass organizations aiming at brining pressure on both the sides to agree for talks with a theme “Cease Fire – Talks”.
IT organized public meetings, conducted signature campaigns, rasta rokos, submitted memorandums to President, Governor, Chief Minister, Home Minister and other authorities. Appeals were made to the then naxal groups People’s War and Jana Sakthi.
The continuous campaign resulted in facilitating talks after change of government in Andhra Pradesh in 2004. The then Home Minister K Jana Reddy announced six months cease fire and to stop encounters. Also ban on naxal groups was not extended. For the first time in the post-Indian history, Government and Naxal representatives set across tables in Hyderabad and discussed on some major concerns.
However, due to foul play triggered by some vested groups, who were determined to fail this process, the process of talks was not continued. During this period only People’s War and MCCI merged and formed into CPI (Maoists) and decided to spread their activities all over the country. Immediately PUCL-AP stressed the need that the talks should not be confined at state level and steps should be taken for talks at national level and urged the Government of India to take initiative. But there was not response.
Jaya said they have been insisting the Government to explore all possibilities to reach out Maoists through dialogue rather then using force. “When the government is ready for a dialogue with foreign-based extremists groups, why it is hesitating to talk with it’s our own people (Maoists) ?”, she asked.
The Round Table meeting pointed out that a dialogue between Government and Maoists is urgently needed to protect and promote Right to Life and security of the ordinary poor and indigenous people.
Surakha Convenor Prof Keshava Rao Jadav presided. He expressed concern over missing of thousands of people and killing of hundreds of common people in encounters by security forces in Kashmir and Manipur and other parts of the country and said ordinary, innocent and poor people are worst victims of present violent environment. “All the parties should shed violence immediately to ensure peace and security to the common people”, he said.
Revolutionary Writer Vara Vara Rao said that Maoists are not putting any conditions for talks and they are ready for `sacrifice’ by accepting for talks. “We are insisting only to create conducive atmosphere for talks by ordering judicial probe into the encounter death of Maoists top leader Azad, stop encounters, lift ban on these organizations”, he said. Detailing that top Maoists leadership is ready for talks and Azad was in fact on the process of preparing ground for such environment. “Killing of Azad is sending wrong signal on the intentions of the government with regard to talks”, he alleged.
PUCL-AP President K Chandrasekhar said as the problem now spread to many states, the talks should be held at all India level.
CPM state leader T Veeraiah said that the experiences gained during talks held in Hyderabad six years ago should be taken into consideration before starting a dialogue at national level. The question is whether talks needed to restore peace or to get justice to the poor people, he asked.. He said that Center should not treat Maoists problem as a mere law and order issue.
Former MLA P Janardhana Reddy said that the Government should demonstrate its commitment for talks by unilaterally withdrawing armed forces from the Maoists infest areas, suspending encounters and combing operations. He said that rights organizations should take leave to create conducive environment for talks between these two groups in the country.
Jaya Vindhyala suggested that the message of this round table meeting seeking “Cease Fire and Talks” should be taken forward by forming into a coordination committee, involving all non-political civil society and human rights groups and interested individuals. She said that these efforts should be made at all India level too.
Ch.Narendra, Kqbal Khan, Riazuddin, Hanumanth Naik (PUCL), Mutyala Yadav (Telangana NGOs union), Vithal Rao (Telangana Lawyers Forum), Akula Bhumaiah (TTS), Nurul Avilan, M A Beig, G Srinivasa Murthy (Socialist Party), T Venkat, P Vinod, K Rajendra Prasad (TVV) Vijaya Kumari and Vimala Kumari also spoke.
