Hyderabad: In the backdrop of ongoing peace talks with naxalites, Andhra Pradesh Government today (Nov 1, 2004) said, it would soon constitute a State level Human Rights Commission, a long pending demand of civil liberties organisations.

"We have initiated historic talks with naxalites in the interest of peace and democracy. We will soon set up Human Rights Commission in the State," Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajsekhar Reddy said while participating in the State formation day celebrations in Hyderabad.

Outlining various developmental issues taken up by his five-month old Government, Reddy termed as historic, the ongoing peace talks with Maoists and reiterated his appeal to them to lay down arms and join social mainstream.

"What people want is peace and development but not weapons. We are confident that naxal organisations will eventually give up arms and join social stream," Reddy said.

Stating that his party has promised revival of dialogue with Left wing extremist groups, the Chief Minister said his Government had taken initiative and invited naxal groups for the first ever direct talks last month.

However, Reddy skirted the contentious weapons issue that has cast its shadow on the second round of talks.

While Government made it clear that naxals must lay down arms and respect the law to make the dialogue process meaningful, Maoists have firmly ruled out giving up arms saying it was an integral part of their revolution.