New Delhi: The 72-day ceasefire offered by the Naxals is not sanctioned by their Politburo or Core Committee, and is aimed at buying a reprieve from the government's offensive against Naxals - that's the conclusion of intelligence agencies. (
Read: Naxals offer 72-day ceasefire, then attack security camp)
The offer also reeks of a rift within the Naxal top leadership about whether to negotiate with the government, say sources.
The divide obvious from the fact that the offer of a conditional ceasefire on Monday night was followed within hours by an attack at a police camp in West Bengal's Midnapore district.
Kishenji, who represents Naxals in Eastern India, said that Naxals in Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal are willing to stop their violence if the government would stop operations against them. He added this ceasefire could begin on the 25th of February. He suggested that intellectuals and human rights activists be allowed to mediate the talks. (Read: Kishenji's offer)
But sources say the attack that followed proves that there's a serious rift between Kishenji and his senior, Ganapathy, the General Secretary of the CPI-Maoists. In fact, the government believes Kishenji's ceasefire offer does not have the support of the Naxals' highest decision-making body, its politburo.
Given that dichotomy, Home Minister P Chidambaram has issued a cautious response to the offer.
The Home Ministry's statement, issued on Tuesday morning, says, "The government has seen many versions of a statement reportedly made by the leaders of the CPI (Maoists). In the absence of an authentic statement, the government is unable to respond to these versions. Nevertheless, in order to clear the air, the Home Minister P Chidambaram wishes to make the following statement.
'I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoists) saying we will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks. I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions. I would like the statement to be faxed to 011-23093155. Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the PM & other colleagues & respond promptly.'
Monday night's attack took place at a police camp in Naxalite stronghold, Kantapahari, in West Midnapore district. Last week, Naxals set a police camp nearby, in Silda, on fire. That turned into the worst Naxal attack west Bengal has ever seen. Twenty-four policemen were killed in the Silda camp. On Monday night, however, security forces were able to return the fire and drive away the attackers.
Sources in intelligence agencies say that the latest offer for a ceasefire is most likely prompted by Operation Greenhunt, the government's gigantic counter-offensive against the Naxals. Desperate to avoid this crackdown, the Naxals may be looking for a temporary reprieve. Sources also add that the Naxals may have been advised by intellectuals sympathetic to them that public opinion has turned against Naxals after the Silda massacre.