Maoists give phone number, ask centre to call for talks
By IANSTuesday, February 23, 2010
KOLKATA - Hours after the central government gave a facsimile number to the Maoists, the Left-wing rebels in West Bengal responded to the union home ministry’s call by sharing a mobile number and asked the government to contact them for peace talks.
According to sources, Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) politburo member Koteswar Rao alias Kishenji asked the union government to call the number Feb 25 if it wants to advance the peace process with the Maoists.
Kishenji said the union home ministry would have to call the Maoists on 9734695789 Thursday at 5 p.m. sharp.
The Union home minister Tuesday issued a fax number for the Maoists, asking them to contact the government directly through the connectivity.
The decision was taken a day after the Maoists offered a 72-day conditional truce to the government.
