Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 8 (HBTV): Following a purported letter issued in the name of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) central committee, expressing willingness for peace talks and a ceasefire, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma—who also holds the Home portfolio—stated that there is no war-like situation in the state and neither the central nor state governments wish to fire a single bullet.    

Speaking to media persons in Raipur, Sharma said, ‘In the letter, they (referring to Naxal leaders) mentioned declaring a ceasefire. But there is no war-like situation, so how is it possible to have a discussion using such terminology? Be it the central or the state government, no one wants to fire a single bullet, and this is why our rehabilitation policy has been implemented.’

Sharma noted that the letter arrived just ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Bastar and called it a significant development. He added that the letter would be brought to the attention of the Home Minister for discussion.

He further emphasised that the Union Home Minister also favours resolution through dialogue and supports the return of Naxals to the mainstream. ‘The surrendered Naxals are being given the benefits of the rehabilitation policy, and the government is making efforts to organise their lives,’ he said.

‘The rehabilitation policy is meant to bring surrendered Naxals into the mainstream of society, so peace talks with conditions are not possible,’ Sharma stated.

The Deputy CM reiterated that the government is open to dialogue and urged the Maoist group to identify a representative or committee for the talks. ‘If they want to discuss and talk, the government is ready a hundred times,’ he said.

He also claimed that Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation policy is the best in the country and said that the government is willing to engage through any medium—be it WhatsApp, phone calls, video calls, or sending a representative.

(ANI)