Govt rejects conditional truce offer by Maoists

New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday rejected the demand for talks with conditions with the Maoists.

In its first official response to the 72-day ceasefire call given by Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the rebels must abjure violence before talks can take place.

"I would like a short, simple statement from Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoists). I would like no ifs, no buts. They should send the fax to 011-23093155. Once we receive the fax, I'll consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly," said Chidambaram in a Home Ministry statement.

Maoist leader Kishanji had on Monday night said that they are ready for talks but only if the government halted all operations against them.

Chidamabaram had last week said that if the Maoists halted violence for 72 hours the government would be ready for talks with them.

However, soon after announcing that there would be a 72-day ceasefire from February 25 to May 7, the Maoists late on Monday night attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp at Katapahari, which is considered to be one of the most secure camps in West Bengal's Lalgarh.

In the ensuing gunfight CRPF personnel gunned down three Maoist leaders - Lalmohan Tudu, Suchithra Murmu and Yuvaraj Murmu.

Police claim that both Suchithra and Yuvaraj were wanted for the Silda camp massacre in which 24 security personnel were killed.

Tudu was the second most important leader in People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) after Chattradhar Mahoto.

The PCAPA has also called for a 72-hour shutdown in three districts of West Bengal - West Midnapore, Bakura and Purulia.

Reacting to the ceasefire offer by Maoists, both Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have made it clear that the rebels must lay down their arms before talks could begin.