AP Govt-Naxals agree to continue talk

The first phase of the talks came to an end with both sides deciding to continue the dialogue process and four-month-old ceasefire.

The first phase of direct talks between the Andhra Pradesh government and Naxalites concluded with both sides deciding to continue the dialogue process and a four-month-old ceasefire.

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The four-day talks between the government and leaders of the newly-formed Communist Party of India-Maoists (CPI-Maoists) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) Janashakti ended on Monday night.

The government responded positively to the Naxals' demand for withdrawing cases registered against "political activists" for participating in "people's agitations".

It also agreed to consider the demand for release of political prisoners.

On the demand for withdrawing cases under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), the government said a central committee would review cases under the anti-terror law.

Talking to reporters after the eight-hour long talks at the Marri Chenna Reddy Institute of Human Resources Development late on Monday night, Home Minister K Jana Reddy said that the government would keep the "suggestions of both the parties in mind while going ahead with land distribution".