The Centre on Friday asked the Maoists in Lalgarh area of West Bengal to lay down arms and come for talks. Home Minister P Chidambaram said he endorsed the appeal of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to the Maoists and the tribals to come for talks.
"I endorse that appeal. If they wish to talk, they should come forward to do so. We will be happy to facilitate the talks," Chidambaram told media-persons after a Cabinet meeting in New Delhi [Images]. The Home Minister said the ongoing operation by police and paramilitary personnel in Lalgarh would take more time and the forces should expect the "unexpected". "Progress will be slow. They (forces) are making progress. ... So far, the operation is going according to plans but they must be prepared for the unexpected. I sincerely hope that with the kind of action we have advised, the operation will be successful.
"An operation of this kind will take some time. In fact, it will take considerably more time than was anticipated," he said when asked about the situation in Lalgarh. He said the forces were "moving and moving cautiously" and the ongoing operation was not against the tribals but only against the Naxalites .
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