Ranchi, Jan 3 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Sunday said that his government is ready to hold peace talks with the Maoists and prompt them to be integrated with the mainstream of society.

Addressing the media in Ranchi, Soren said: “There might be difference of opinion among the Maoists but there is no difference of opinion between us and the Maoists. We want them to sit and discuss their problems with us.”

“I will ask them whether they are fighting against the government or the society. I was also a rebel at one time,” he added.

On December 30, Soren took over as Jharkhand Chief Minster.

On Saturday, Maoists had called for a 24-hour shutdown in five states in protest against firing which, they alleged, was done by a cadre of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at a Christmas fair for tribals near the Lalgarh region in West Bengal. (ANI)