Kolkata: Putting the onus again on the
government to take an initiative, Maoists on Friday said they will
not suspend their movement and it was for the central
government to respond.
Referring to the arrest of military operations leader
Venkatshewar Reddy alias Telugu Dipak on March two from
Howrah, Maoist leader Kishenji said "the arrest will
strengthen our resolve to fight state sponsored terrorism. We
will make our movement in the country stronger and sharper.
"We are still ready for talks, but the government is
not interested. Their offer for talks is just an eyewash,"
Kishenji told agency from an undisclosed location.
"The oppression by the joint forces will not succeed.
We will continue our movement as long as the people are with
us," he said.
Asked if a deal could be struck with the government on
the arrest of Dipak, Kishenji said "We have never struck a
deal with anybody. Arrest and death is not a new thing for us.
Our agenda is very clear and it is for the central government
to respond."
He said that Union Home Minister Chidambaram is not
interested in any kind of talks. "We had given him an offer
but he didn`t respond."
On February 23, a day after Kishenji proposed a
`conditional` ceasefire, Chidambaram said the government would
not accept any `ifs and buts` for a dialogue. But he gave a
number asking the Maoists fax their truce statement.
Kishenji in turn gave a mobile number and asked the
minister to call him on February 25. Next day, Kishenji asked
the government to halt the offensive against them for 72 days
and involve mediators in talks.
PTI
