India, Sept. 17 -- The Chhattisgarh Police were probing the authenticity of a purported statement of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) or CPI (Maoist) announcing a temporary suspension of its "armed struggle" and expressing willingness for peace talks with the central and state governments.

A police officer said that the statement circulating on social media does not appear to be in the usual Maoist language, and its authenticity is being verified.

Inspector general Sunderraj P said they have noted the statement issued in the name of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee regarding the laying down of arms and the prospect of peace talks. "The authenticity of this release is being verified, and its contents are under careful exa...