PDC Urges ceasefire, calls for talks with Maoists

Metro India News | Hyderabad

The Peace Dialogue Committee has appealed to the central government to declare a temporary ceasefire, suspend Operation Kagar in Chhattisgarh, and create an atmosphere for peace talks with the Maoists. At a press meet in Somajiguda on Thursday, committee leaders said dialogue must be prioritized over violence, stressing that continued armed confrontations were taking a toll on adivasis, police personnel, and Maoist cadres.

Justice Chandra Kumar, President of the committee, said Maoists and Naxalites should not be equated with terrorists, as they had historically fought against corruption and exploitation. “Solutions emerge from dialogue, not assassinations. Our constitution gives everyone the right to life, and the government must uphold it,” he remarked, warning that the deployment of large security forces in conflict regions was curtailing fundamental rights under Article 21.

Prof. Haragopal said the government must show seriousness about protecting life. “Is this the respect we give to human life? The government seems more focused on exploiting minerals in tribal regions rather than resolving the conflict. Such an approach is dangerous for democracy,” he said, comparing the situation to global conflicts where civilians were trapped in crossfire. He urged the Centre to withdraw combing operations for at least 100 days to enable genuine discussions.

Another member, Anwar Khan, stressed the urgency of intervention by the Centre. “Give them the time they have asked for and begin talks. If this violence continues, we risk repeating the tragedies of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka,” he warned.

The committee condemned the recent killings of Maoist leaders, including Central Committee members Nambala Kesava Rao and Modem Balakrishna, along with the deaths of several cadres and adivasis in police encounters. “The government should have used this as an opportunity to advance peace rather than intensify operations,” the committee said, demanding a judicial inquiry into the killings.

Meanwhile, in a press release on August 15, the Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) announced that it was temporarily giving up armed struggle and was ready to join peace talks. Signed by spokesperson Abhay, the statement said the party had sought one month’s time to consult with its leadership and had proposed a ceasefire. The Maoists also expressed readiness to hold initial discussions through video call and urged the Centre to stop operations immediately.

The Maoists said their change of stance was shaped by national and international realities and repeated appeals from the Prime Minister and Home Minister to lay down arms. They clarified that they would continue people’s struggles through democratic means and called upon Dalits, Adivasis, women, minorities, intellectuals, and democratic forces to support their decision.

The Peace Dialogue Committee concluded that the government must seize this moment, respond positively to the Maoist overture, and demonstrate that the path to peace lies in negotiations, not bloodshed.