India: India leader Kishanji, of rebel maoist group, offers a ceasefire of 72 days, he’ll stop fight operations in States of Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa
Maoist leader Kishanji, who has opposed talks with the government, made a sudden turnaround on Monday, offering a 72-day ceasefire saying there would be no left-wing violence if the security forces stopped their operations in Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa.
‘‘The deadline begins on February 25 (to be observed as martyr’s day by the Maoists) and ends on May 7, during which there will be no violence from either side,’’ said Kishanji. Incidentally, this is the period when trees would shed leaves in the forest and make it difficult for the Maoists to move around unseen. It ends just a month before the annual date for onset of monsoon in Bengal.