Indian president urges Maoists to stop violence

Indian president urges Maoists to stop violence

2011-06-25 00:58:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

RAIPUR, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indian President Pratibha Patil on Friday urged Maoist rebels to leave violence and join the government's peace talks to usher progress for the tribal population which they represent, Press Trust of India reported.

"I would like to urge Naxalites and those involved in violent acts to shun violence, talk and think appropriately and get involved in the mainstream of the society to ensure progress for their own tribal population," she said while addressing the legislators at the state Assembly hall in Raipur.

Patil, who is in the Chhattisgarh capital on a two-day official visit, expressed grief over the spate of recent violence in which a number of people were killed. Earlier this month, at least 15 policemen were killed in two separate attacks by suspected Maoist rebels in the central state of Chhattisgarh.

"Maintenance of peace and its continuance is very essential for the progress of the country," she added.

Patil also expressed concern over other social issues like child marriage and female foeticide, and said awareness and education against these issues should be spread.

More than one-third of India's 626 administrative districts are affected by the Maoist insurgency. At least 1,170 rebels, troops and civilians were killed in insurgency-related incidents in 2010.

The Maoists say they are fighting for the rights of tribal, landless and poor people in the country's poorest regions.

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