'Consensus lacking among Maoist groups for talk with Govt'

Though the Centre is open for discussion to end Left Wing Extremism, there is no consensus among Maoist leaders for talks under the framework of the Constitution, Senior Security Adviser in Ministry of Home Affairs K Vijay Kumar said.
Kumar said this after meeting Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here, in the aftermath of the October 24 Malkangiri encounter where 28 rebels were gunned down by security personnel.
Kumar, however, said his meeting with the Odisha Chief Minister was not part of an exercise to take stock of the situation in the wake of threat issued by the Maoist groups to take revenge for the October 24 encounter.

"It has been a long time since a courtesy visit was pending to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Since I was busy with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand this meeting got delayed," he said.
Kumar said the Home Ministry has always asked them (Maoists) to shun violence, lay down arms and come for discussion to resolve the issue.
"Some top leaders have also agreed for discussion. But they could never come to consensus for the talks. We are still open to talks on LWE issues," Kumar said adding that innocent people are killed by Maoists after being branded as betrayers or police informers.

"Whenever we are successful in any operation, they term it stage managed or fake encounter. But what about our people being killed by them and the innocent public they kill terming as betrayers or police informers," Kumar asked.

Replying a question on the recent Malkangiri encounter incident, Kumar said, "The number of Maoists have been reduced in Malkangiri area. Therefore they are working along with Vishakhapatnam camps.
He said the recent operations by Odisha police and Andhrap Pradesh Greyhounds was a result of great co-ordination.
(Reopens CAL3)
He said, "We have been legally provided with arms to tackle them which we won't use recklessly. But they do not have legal, moral or ethical rights to use arms. Their revengeful doctrine is condemnable.

"But our approach is different. We are doing anti-Maoist operation for safety and security of the people. We are constitutionally doing it. Sometimes mistakes can happen from our side. But is it up to you to decide which side is correct," he said.
Replying to the construction of the Gurupriya bridge in the cut-off area of Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district which has been inordinately delayed, Kumar said the project has been going on for quite some time.
As there has been a cost escalation, the state government is having regular correspondence with the Centre demanding more financial assistance for timely completion of the bridge. "Since you have raised this point, I will take up the matter with the Home ministry," he said.

Kumar had last visited Odisha on 23 July, 2014 after Red Rebel Sabyasachi panda was arrested by Odisha Police.
Police sources said Kumar is scheduled to have a meeting with the senior officers of CRPF and Odisha Police to review the Maoist activities and anti-Maoist operations in the state.
Meanwhile, Director General, CRPF, K Durga Prasad is scheduled to arrive in the state later in the day.