The committee of concerned citizens, which played an important role in initiating talks between the government and Naxalites, on Saturday welcomed the formal declaration of the state government to hold direct talks with the PWG Naxalites immediately. S R Sankaran, a retired IAS officer and convenor of CCC, who would mediate between the government and Naxals, expressed hope that the announcement would bring immediate cessation of armed activities on both sides and stop of all forms of harassment of people.
Sankaran, in a statement, reiterated his appeal to CPI(ML)-PWG that notwithstanding the recent loss of lives at Tupakulagudem encounter, they should continue their commitment for suspension of armed activities in the larger interests of the people. “The committee would continue its endeavours to facilitate the process of talks and expects that a conducive atmosphere would emerge for fruitful talks,” he added. Bureau Report