Ranchi, Sept. 17 -- The CPI (Maoist) has expressed readiness to lay down arms and hold peace talks with the government, seeking a one-month ceasefire to consult its cadres and jailed leaders before entering formal negotiations.
In a two-page statement dated August 15 and released belatedly, the party's central committee spokesperson Abhay said the Maoists are prepared to suspend operations for a month and engagein initial discussions through video conferencing.
The organisation apologised for the delay in making the letter public.
According to the note, the Maoists have been attempting dialogue since March this year but received no response from the Centre.
Instead, the statement alleged, security operations were intensified. The letter...