Maoists get arms from abroad: Chidambaram

Disclosing Naxals were acquiring arms through Bangladesh, Myanmar and possibly Nepal, Home Minister P Chidambaram today nonetheless told them to “simply halt the violence” so the government could start talks with them.

There was no no evidence of any money flowing in from abroad to the Naxals but “there is certainly evidence of weapons being smuggled from abroad through Myanmar or Bangladesh” and possibly Nepal, he said.

During a wide-ranging interview to PTI, Chidambaram firmly refused to respond to the comments of Naxal leader Kishenji, who had laid down certain conditions for a dialogue with the government.

“He is the leader of an organisation declared as unlawful.” The Home Minister affirmed the government was not not insisting on the Maoists laying down arms as a pre-condition for talks.

“I have not not used these words. Besides I am too practical to know they will not not lay down arms. They have to halt violence which means halt the wanton destruction of railway track, roads, telephone towers, school buildings, bridges,” he said.