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| Tuesday, 23 November 2004 |
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Indian PM defends talks with Maoist rebels GUWAHATI, India, Monday (AFP) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday defended talks between authorities in southern Andhra Pradesh state and Maoist rebels, saying they should continue despite the deaths of 17 police in an ambush. Speaking to reporters in Imphal, capital of the northeastern state of Manipur, Singh rebuffed criticism from Hindu nationalists that last month's talks had compromised security and given rebels time to restock arms supplies. "Just because they are procuring arms does not mean that we should stop talking to them," Singh told a press conference which was broadcast on regional television. "There should be a multi-pronged approach to deal with the problem." Singh's comments follow an attack Saturday by Maoists in central Uttar Pradesh state in which 17 policemen were killed. A report in the Indian Express Sunday said the attack was prompted by an attempt by officials to stop rebels from collecting and selling leaves used in the manufacture of a cheap type of cigarette, vernacularly known as "bidi." |
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