The CPI (Maoist) has expressed readiness to lay down arms and hold peace talks with the government, seeking a one-month ceasefire to consult its cadres and jailed leaders before entering formal negotiations.
In a two-page statement dated August 15 and released belatedly, the party’s central committee spokesperson Abhay said the Maoists are prepared to suspend operations for a month and engage in initial discussions through video conferencing. The organisation apologised for the delay in making the letter public.
According to the note, the Maoists have been attempting dialogue since March this year, but received no response from the Centre. Instead, the statement alleged, security operations were intensified. The letter comes nearly four months after the encounter killing of party general secretary Nambala Kesava Rao alias Basavaraju, who had initiated earlier peace efforts.
“The party, after deliberation with senior comrades, seeks one month to place this change of approach before its cadres and those lodged in prisons across the country,” the note said. It appealed to the government to declare a formal ceasefire, halt combing operations, and create conditions conducive to dialogue.
The Maoist statement also demanded an end to what it described as “repressive measures,” the release of political prisoners, and withdrawal of “anti-people policies.” Abhay asserted that the party, in view of changing global and national circumstances and repeated calls for surrender, has decided to move towards peace and work alongside political organisations committed to public welfare.
The press note warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period could force the group to revive its campaign on a larger scale. Party units at the state, zonal, and special area levels have been asked to share their views, while communication channels have been opened through an email address and social media handle provided in the statement.
This is the fifth peace proposal floated by the CPI (Maoist) after similar overtures in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in the past, none of which yielded a breakthrough. The Centre has yet to issue an official response to the fresh initiative.