16 October,2011 10:17 AM IST | | Agencies
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said the government is ready to talk to the Maoists if they shun violence. "I am giving you (Maoists) a seven-day ultimatum to lay down guns. We will not tolerate any more violence. Killings and negotiations cannot go hand in hand." She made the remarks at a rally in Naxal-affected Jhargram. Mamata said the Maoists had failed to keep their word. "There have been no joint force operations in the last 3-4 months. I thought that would bring peace. But people have been gunned down.
Negotiations will continue if you drop your guns." She was referring to the gunning down of two Trinamool Congress leaders in Junglemahal recently. She continued, "Tell me what you want. We will give jobs, compensation and pension to Maoists who come to the mainstream. We want a solution, but
we will not tolerate any more violence."
