K. Chandrasekhar Rao backs talks with Maoists in Telangana

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Hyderabad: TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s policy towards Maoists in the new Telangana state has kicked off a debate in police circles. Rao said on Sunday that there will be no excesses against Maoists and that they intend to put a full stop to all encounter killings.
“We’ll hold talks with the Maoists. The talks won’t be at the police level. They will be at the highest level, involving the CM and other key players. The agenda of the TRS is the same as the socio-economic agenda of the Maoists. We will implement it,” Rao said.
Cops note KCR shift on Naxals
Top-ranking police officers who were involved in anti-Naxal operations opined that TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s policy towards Maoists in the new Telangana state is an indication of a change in attitude.
“Chhattisgarh is facing a serious Maoist menace and they have a free run in the liberated zone of Dandakaranya. The spillover effect is seen in North Telangana now and then. Any change in policy towards the Maoists will affect Telangana too,” said a DIG-rank official.
However, some IPS officials observed that at the grass-roots level the policy towards Maoists will be the same, though the political leadership may differ. “Even in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee before elections was taking a pro-Maoist line. After she came to power, she curbed the movement with an iron hand,” said an IPS official of the rank of inspector-general.
“YSR’s government held talks with the Maoists, but it was during his rule that most encounters took place. Rao is like any seasoned politician. Whoever comes to power has to enforce law and order. KCR will have to give a free hand to the police,” the officer said.