Thursday, February 10 2005 12:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Despite the spurt in naxal violence and the increased rupture between the police and Maoists at various places, Andhra Pradesh Government yesterday (Feb 9, 2005) expressed its willingness to continue with the peace initiative.

"The peace process will continue and we are in favour of the second round of talks which should begin any time now," Home Minister K Jana Reddy said after reviewing the law and order situation in the State with top police officers.

Maoists had damaged Government property and had called for a bandh on Tuesday (Feb 8, 2005) in Telengana district against the alleged fake encounters while the two parties have been involved in a blame game for the non-starter of the second round of talks.

Elite police force Grey Hounds had allegedly surrounded the hideout of Maoist State secretary Ramakrishna in the Nalamala forest, while he was holding talks with top leaders from Bihar and Jharkhand.

The Home Ministry, however, denied the allegation and said that they have no intention of eliminating top leadership of Maoists while the naxal leaders alleged that the State has hatched such a 'conspiracy'.

The naxal group has come out with a list of demands, which include stopping of combing operations, while the State reiterated that unlawful practices of moving around with arms will be checked and refused to comment on the pulling out of forces from the naxal strongholds.