Interlocutors withdraw from peace talks with NAXALS

Dealing a blow to talks with Naxals, West Bengal-government appointed interlocutors on Monday withdrew from the parleys, four days after top Naxal leader Kishenji was killed in an encounter in West Midnapore district. "The prevailing situation in Jungalmahal does not allow us to carry forward the peace talks and we, therefore, express our inability and helplessness to the chief minister," the interlocutors said in a communication to Mamata Banerjee after its six members met here.

Asked whether they would reconsider their decision, Sujato Bhadra, who headed the team of interlocutors and is a human rights activist, said, "Everything is uncertain in Junglemahal. The situation may worsen. It is not possible to carry forward the peace process."

One of the interlocutors was stated to have given a divergent view and suggested continuance of the talks.

The interlocutors, who had two rounds of talks with the Naxals, had earlier decided to slow down their efforts after the state government decided to step up joint force operations in Junglemahal.

The chief minister, however, called them recently and asked them to continue with the peace process.