Follow Colombia, talk to Naxals, advises SC

NEW DELHI: Can someone at the top level of the Indian government replicate Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos's Nobel peace prize effort by holding talks with Naxals to solve the problem festering for the last five decades?
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to consider extending an olive branch to armed outfits in order to solve the problem of Naxalism in a peaceful manner.A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Adarsh K Goel referred to the initiative taken by the Col ombian president in holding talks with armed guerrillas which brought to an end the more than 50-year-long civil war raging in his country .
President Santos had initiated the negotiations that culminated in the peace accord between the Colombian government and FARC, which was one of the world's richest guerrilla armies.However, the deal was reject ed with 50.2% voters voting against it in a referendum. The armed conflict had cost the lives of at least 2.2 lakh Colombians over five decades. Santos was awarded the 2016 Nobel peace prize for his effort.
The bench said that someone from the government should take the initiative in holding talks with the outfits as done by President Santos.Referring to another instance, the bench said that two tribal groups in Nagaland had been fighting each other for 60-70 years causing many casualties but finally reached an amicable settlement through the intervention of the church.
Solicitor general Ranjit Kumar told the bench the government was committed to resolve the crisis and it was exploring all ways. He said that the problem was being monitored at the highest executive level. He, however, said that all steps taken by government on the issue could not be made public.
Responding to SG's submission, the bench said, “So we can hope someone from India will win Nobel peace prize next year.“
The court was hearing a petition filed by social activist Nandini Sunder seeking protection to tribals of the state who were suffering because of the ongoing violence in Naxal-affected areas.