Come for talks, PM to Maoists

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday asked Maoist guerrillas to abjure violence and talk to the government to jointly accelerate social and economic development of the tribal-dominated areas.

“I once again appeal to Naxalites to abjure violence, come for talks with the government and join hands with us to accelerate social and economic development,” he said in address to the nation on Independence Day.

Calling Maoist violence “a serious challenge to our internal security”, Singh said: “We will deal firmly with those who resort to violence. We will provide all possible help to state governments to maintain the rule of law in areas affected by Naxalism.”