Hyderabad: With the issue of land for the poor occupying the centre-stage of the first phase of direct talks with naxalites, Andhra Pradesh Government is set to constitute a Commission to identify surplus lands for distribution among the landless poor.

After overcoming initial hiccups over the contentious arms issue, both sides went ahead with the nitty-gritty of negotiations with Maoist leaders focussing on land reforms and demanding steps to 'vacate thousands of acres of agricultural land under occupation by big industrialists in and around the twin cities."

The first phase of talks, spread over four days, will conclude tonight (Oct 18, 2004).

Before the conclusion of the first round of gruelling negotiations, the Government is likely to announce constitution of a Commission to examine the land issue, official sources said in Hyderabad.

The Home Minister K Jana Reddy, who is leading an eight-member Government team in talks, is also likely to respond today to the four-point charter of demands made by extremist organisations including withdrawal of cases and release of political prisoners, dispensing with the policy of fixing rewards on heads of revolutionary leaders and disbanding armed anti-naxalite gangs allegedly sponsored by the police.