Shah rejects Maoists' truce offer, welcomes surrender

REITERATING the government's resolve to completely annihilate violent Naxalites by end of March next year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday rejected the ceasefire offer given by Maoists, saying if the extremists want to surrender and lay down arms, they are most welcome to do so and assured that security forces would not fire a single bullet.

- MUKESH RANJAN @ New Delhi

"Recently, to spread confusion, a letter was written stating that what has happened so far has been a mistake, that a ceasefire should be declared, and that they (Naxals) want to surrender. I want to say there will be no ceasefire. If you want to surrender, there is no need for a ceasefire. Lay down your arms, not a single bullet will be fired," the Home Minister asserted, while noting that if they surrender, a red carpet welcome awaits them with a "lucrative" rehabilitation policy.