Committee should be formed to mediate between Govt-Maoists: Roy

Noted author Arundhati Roy has suggested that a committee of experienced people should be formed to mediate between the Maoists and government but ruled out being a part of it, saying she does not have the "skills" required to be a mediator.

"Not really. I would not like to be (a mediator or part of people's committee to mediate between government and Maoists). I don't think I have those skills," she told CNN-IBN's Devil's Advocate programme.

"I don't know. I don't think (that) I would be good at it you know. I am a maverick.....I'll try. I don't know how to think about it," she said.

The author was asked whether she would be prepared to be a mediator or a part of any committee formed to mediate between the Maoists and the government.

"I feel that all of us should do what we can. But, certainly I don't feel that I would be very good at it," she said when asked whether she would accept being part of a people's committee for mediation if she is "pushed and persuaded".

There should be a "committee of people with experience in negotiating" to take up the responsibility of mediating between the Maoist and government for peace talks, not "one person", she said.

"I think there should be a group of people who are used to taking decision collectively," she said and suggested that people like rights activist B D Sharma, "who has long experience", should be included in such a committee of people.

When asked if she would like to make a statement calling upon the Maoists to come forward for talks, she said, "No. Not when there are 2,00,000 paramilitary forces closing in on the villages."

"Unconditionally" both sides should first declare a ceasefire, she suggested.