Jamshedpur, February 13: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren today denied that he had a soft corner for naxalites but emphasied the need to understand the circumstances that forced them to take to arms.
Soren, accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister-cum- Finance Minister Raghuvar Das and Civil Supply Minister Barkunwar Gargrai, said the state government had offered to hold talks with Maoist groups and was waiting for their response.
However, talks would not be possible if they continued to indulge in blood-bath.
“Shun violence and the governmnt will hold talks,” he said when asked whether the state government was contemplating any initiative for a dialogue with Maoists.
“We have already offered talks. We are waiting for a response from the ultra group and then we can take initiative for talks,” the chief minister said.
–PTI