Hyderabad: The prospect of revival of talks with naxalites in Andhra Pradesh brightened today (June 15, 2004) with People's War Group (PWG) accepting the Government's offer but demanded announcement of ceasefire to create a conducive atmosphere for resuming the dialogue.

"We are ready for talks if the Government announces ceasefire without any loss of time. It is now time for sincere action instead of empty promises and pious declarations," the PWG said in a statement made available to the media today.

The development came in the midst of consultations the State Home Minister K Jana Reddy had with a group of civil rights leaders on how to go about reviving the dialogue process, which had collapsed two years ago.

Asked about PWG's pre-condition that Government must announce ceasefire, Reddy said: "There has been no firing from police in the last 15 days. Is it not a ceasefire? We have instructed the police to maintain restraint."

With positive signals emanating from both sides, there is a wide expectation that the process of talks might begin within the next few days. The new Congress Government had already announced it would constitute a Conciliation Committee, comprising eminent persons, to work out modalities for talks.

"Going by the intentions of the Government and a general atmosphere in favour of talks, we think it should be possible to commence the process in about ten days," said B Tharakam, a member of the 'Peace Initiative Forum', an independent initiative comprising civil rights leaders, academicians and journalists.