Putting the onus again on the government to take an initiative, Maoists today said they will not suspend their movement and it was for the central government to respond.
Referring to the arrest of military operations leader Venkatshewar Reddy alias Telugu Dipak on March two from Howrah, Maoist leader Kishenji said "the arrest will strengthen our resolve to fight state sponsored terrorism. We will make our movement in the country stronger and sharper.
"We are still ready for talks, but the government is not interested. Their offer for talks is just an eyewash," Kishenji told PTI from an undisclosed location.
"The oppression by the joint forces will not succeed. We will continue our movement as long as the people are with us," he said.
Asked if a deal could be struck with the government on the arrest of Dipak, Kishenji said "We have never struck a deal with anybody. Arrest and death is not a new thing for us.
Our agenda is very clear and it is for the central government to respond."
He said that Union home minister Chidambaram is not interested in any kind of talks. "We had given him an offer but he didn't respond."
On February 23, a day after Kishenji proposed a 'conditional' ceasefire, Chidambaram said the government would not accept any 'ifs and buts' for a dialogue. But he gave a number asking the Maoists fax their truce statement.
Kishenji in turn gave a mobile number and asked the minister to call him on February 25. Next day, Kishenji asked the government to halt the offensive against them for 72 days and involve mediators in talks.
