New Delhi, Dec 9 (Inditop.com) The government Wednesday reiterated that talks will be held with insurgents in the northeastern region and Maoists only if they gave up their weapons.
“Our stand is clear. Lay down arms, give up demands for sovereignty and talks can be held. My appeal is common to all insurgent groups (in the northeast). Give up demands for sovereignty and lay down your arms. This will open the way for talks,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha.
The minister was asked if the government was contemplating talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
Chidambaram added that three leaders of the group had been apprehended on the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border and handed over to the Assam Police.
He replied in similar vein to another question on the steps the government was taking to contain the Maoist menace.
“If the Naxalites (Maoists) abjure violence, talks can be held on all matters of concern,” Chidambaram said.
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