অ্যাকসেসিবিলিটি লিংক

India's Opposition Leader Criticizes New Delhi for Peace Talks with Armed Rebels - 2004-10-20


The newly-appointed leader of India's main opposition party has criticized New Delhi for allowing peace talks with Maoist guerillas even before they have laid down their arms.

Head of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, Lal Krishna Advani, accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government of playing with the nation's security.

The first direct talks with the rebels were held by the government of the southern Andhra Pradesh state and a delegation from the two main Maoist rebel groups. They ended Monday.

The state authorities said both sides agreed to continue a ceasefire and meet again. But the government refused to sign a written ceasefire agreement with the rebels who refused to surrender arms.

There was no immediate reaction from the ruling Congress party to Mr. Advani's charges.

The Maoists have been fighting in Andhra Pradesh for more than three decades, saying they want better conditions for landless farmers. The insurgency has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

XS
SM
MD
LG