Maoists, government exchange phone numbers (Intro-Roundup)

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said “no ifs, no buts” to the Maoists’ inclination for dialogue and gave out a facsimile number for talks. The Left-wing rebels responded by giving a cell phone number on which the central government could contact them.

However, just after Maoist leader Kishenji offered a 72-day conditional ceasefire to the government Monday night, armed rebels rebels attacked a camp housing security personnel in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district late in the night.

Responding to reports that the guerrillas were ready for a truce, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the government will respond “promptly” if Maoist rebels made a formal and unconditional offer to stop fighting and talk.

“I would like a short, simple statement” from the group “saying we will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks,” Chidambaram said in a statement and also gave out a fax number Tuesday. “I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions.”

Police officials said Maoists attacked the camp housing state police and Central Reserve Paramilitary Force (CRPF) troopers at Katapahari in West Midnapore district around 10.30 p.m. Three suspected Maoists were killed in the gunfight, police said. The rebels last week killed at least 34 people, including 24 troopers, in eastern India.

The security personnel at the Katapahari camp - located on a hillock surrounded by thick forests - retaliated against the Maoists and the gunfight went on for around two hours.

Inspector General of Police (Western range) Kuldip Singh said: “We have reports that three suspected Maoists were killed. But, so far we have recovered only one body from the spot. Some firearms were also recovered from the area.”

“Generally, one company of security force comprises 70-80 jawans (troopers). There were more than one company of security personnel at the camp, including some state police officials,” Inspector General of Police Surajit Kar Purakayastha told IANS.

The timing of the attack - soon after the ceasefire offer by top Maoist leader Kishenji alias Koteshwar Rao - caused confusion in the state police headquarters, with some officials taking it as a sign that Maoists could not be trusted, while others hinting at a rift in the rebel ranks.

In Delhi, home ministry officials said after its response to the ceasefire the government would wait for an “appropriate response”. However, some within the security establishment believe the Maoists’ offer appeared to be a ploy to buy time.

Ministry officials said they have seen many versions of the statement reportedly made by the leaders of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist stating that security operations should stop for 72 days - from Feb 25 to May 7.

“In the absence of an authentic statement, the government is unable to respond to these versions,” said a ministry official.

The Maoists Monday said they were game for a dialogue if the government put off its offensive against them.

Kishenji said in his statement: “We will halt our revolutionary counter-terrorism and counter-violence activities for the same number of days and hours that the government halts state terror and state violence against us.”

“If the government halts state terror against us for 72 days from Feb 25 to May 7, we are prepared to hold talks during this period,” Kishenji said.

He also appealed to intellectuals to come forward and broker the talks.

But hours after the central government gave a facsimile number to the Maoists, the rebels in West Bengal responded by sharing a mobile number for peace talks.

According to sources in the CPI-Maoist, Kishenji asked the central government to call the number Feb 25 if it wants to advance the peace process with the Maoists.

Kishenji said the home ministry would have to call the Maoists on 9734695789 Thursday at 5 p.m. sharp, the source said.