Andhra Govt, Naxals to hold talks on land distribution

The first direct peace talks between PW and Andhra Govt are expected to conclude today with discussions on land distribution.

The first direct peace talks between People's War and Andhra government are expected to conclude on Monday with discussions on land distribution and an agreement to meet again, a government official said.

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The government and Naxals had agreed on Friday to observe a ceasefire, while negotiations to end the insurgency continued. The Naxals said, however, that they had not abandoned armed insurrection as a means to achieve their aims.

The final session of talks on Monday will focus on rebel demands for the state government to enforce a 30-year-old law that prohibits farmers from owning more than 18 acres (seven hectares) of wetland and 54 hectares (21 hectares) of dry land, said K Jana Reddy, State Home Minister.