Hyderabad: Setting aside differences over ceasefire agreement, naxalites and Andhra Pradesh Government today (Oct 16, 2004) got down to nitty-gritty of the first ever direct talks with the Maoist leaders presenting a four-point charter of demands including withdrawal of cases and release of political business prisoners.

During the marathon seven hour long discussions on the second day, the leaders of CPI (Maoist) and Janasakthi organisations demanded withdrawal of the policy of fixing rewards on the heads of extremists and disbanding armed anti-naxalite gangs allegedly sponsored by police.

"We have responded positively towards their demands. We will discuss with the Government and respond to them," the Home Minister K Jana Reddy, who led a eight-member Government team in the docks, told reporters in Hyderabad late tonight.

"The parleys will resume at 2.30 pm tomorrow (Oct 17, 2004)," he said.

Addressing a separate press conference, the CPI (Maoist) State secretary, Ramakrishna said the key issue of land distribution for the poor will be raised during the talks tomorrow.

"Today we have presented our main demands pertaining to withdrawal of cases against those who participated in people's struggle, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of rewards and disbanding armed gangs directed against revolutionaries," Ramakrishna said.

Earlier, differences had cropped up over whether naxalites should be allowed to carry arms during their political campaign. A clause in the draft ceasefire agreement proposed by the Government, stipulating that naxals should not carry weapons, had triggered differences.

However, both sides had agreed to set aside the arms clause and carry forward with the talks.

The ceasefire is already in force since June this year. During the historic parleys, which commenced yesterday (Oct 15, 2004), Maoist leaders insisted that a signed agreement be put in place before proceeding with the main agenda.

The Home Minister reminded the extremist leaders that consensus has to be achieved over the arms clause.

Official sources said the Government was not willing to sign ceasefire agreement if the arms clause is deleted. Both sides would now get on to the main agenda of talks covering a 11-point agenda proposed by naxalites.

Barring the contentious arms issue, the two sides have agreed to abide by the other provisions of the draft agreement stipulating that they would maintain peace and refrain from attacking each other.