Maoist Telangana State Committee announces six-month ceasefire

Decision follows growing demand from political parties, people’s organisations and common public for peace talks, says Maoist State Committee spokesperson Jagan

Kothagudem: Cornered by paramilitary forces and the State Police, the CPI (Maoist) Party Telangana State Committee has announced a ceasefire for a period of six months.

A statement was released to the media in this connection by Maoist Telangana State Committee spokesperson Jagan. The ceasefire was announced in the wake of growing demand from majority political parties, people’s organisations and the common public for peace talks between the Maoists and the government, he said.

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The demand for peace talks first came forth in the Telugu States, as part of which a peace talks committee was formed. Hundreds of organisations, individuals, noted personalities and parties across the country have been supporting the demand, he said.

He also lauded former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s reference to peace talks between Maoists and the government and his demand to the Centre to stop Operation Kagar. He welcomed BRS MLC K Kavitha’s demand for the same.

A few days ago, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also wanted peace talks. All these have to be understood as a process to create a conducive atmosphere for holding peace talks. In order to build up the right conditions, the Maoist party announced a ceasefire, Jagan added.

It might be recalled that in April this year the Maoist North West Bastar Bureau in-charge Rupesh appealed to the government to halt the ongoing ‘Operation Kagar’ on Chhattisgarh-Telangana borders for a month to create suitable conditions for peace talks.

Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee Spokesperson Vikalp twice expressed the party’s readiness for peace talks in response to a call given by Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma to Maoists to come for peace talks.

Vikalp had appealed to the government to create an atmosphere conducive for peace talks by stopping Operation Kagar. Now, the Telangana State Committee has taken the initiative of announcing the ceasefire.