Lay down arms before talks, insurgents told
December 9th, 2009 - 1:51 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) The government Wednesday reiterated that talks will be held with insurgents in the northeastern region and Maoists only if they gave up their weapons.
“Our stand is clear. Lay down arms, give up demands for sovereignty and talks can be held. My appeal is common to all insurgent groups (in the northeast). Give up demands for sovereignty and lay down your arms. This will open the way for talks,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha.
The minister was asked if the government was contemplating talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
Chidambaram added that three leaders of the group had been apprehended on the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border and handed over to the Assam Police.
He replied in similar vein to another question on the steps the government was taking to contain the Maoist menace.
“If the Naxalites (Maoists) abjure violence, talks can be held on all matters of concern,” Chidambaram said.
- Talks only after insurgents lay down arms: Chidambaram (Lead) - Dec 09, 2009
- Determined to end Garo terror outfit: Chidambaram - Feb 19, 2012
- BSF personnel detained Rajkhowa: P Chidambaram - Dec 09, 2009
- P Chidambaram feels it will take two to three years to curb Maoists - Jan 01, 2010
- Bangladesh hands over three ULFA rebels - Feb 05, 2011
- Ready for peace talks, let ULFA take initiative: Gogoi - Apr 26, 2010
- Talks with ULFA constructive: Home secretary - Oct 31, 2011
- Abjure violence, sit for talks: Chidambaram urges insurgents (Lead) - Dec 23, 2009
- Barua group gives ULFA 3 months to 'return to active duty' - Apr 30, 2012
- Central Government calls for meeting on talks with ULFA - Jan 28, 2010
- Talks with ULFA without sovereignty issue: Gogoi - Dec 07, 2009
- Empowered councils way forward in northeast: Chidambaram - Feb 09, 2011
- Open for talks with ULFA: Gogoi - Dec 16, 2009
- Ceasefire agreement with ULFA soon: Chidambaram - Jul 13, 2011
- Chidambaram urges northeast insurgents to abjure violence - Dec 23, 2009
Tags: abjure, assam police, bangladesh, home minister, insurgent groups, insurgents, maoist, maoists, meghalaya, naxalites, New Delhi, northeastern region, p chidambaram, rajya sabha, sovereignty, united liberation front, violence, weapons