Centre ready for talks with Maoists, says Rajnath

The Centre will revive the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for the overall development of backward and tribal dominated districts in the country and is prepared to hold talks with Maoists if they abjure violence without any condition, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.

“We are reviving IAP for the development of backward areas. The Centre also has certain schemes for the uplift of poor people,” Singh said after holding an hour-long security review meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik here.

The government would revive IAP as the economic and social uplift of the poor in the country was a priority for it, Singh, who was on a day-long visit to Odisha, said.

He added the government was ready to hold talks with Maoists if they shun violence unconditionally. “I want to appeal to them to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream ... Government is ready to hold talks with them if they give up violence without any condition,” he said.

On the situation relating to left wing extremism in Odisha, Singh said, “There has been progressive improvement on the Maoist front in the state. I have assured the state government that it will get maximum assistance for combating the Maoist menace in Odisha.” 

Referring to the killing of four Maoists in Jharkhand on Thursday, he said the security personnel acted only in self-defence.