Support Maoists to join mainstream, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar urges people

Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Feb 18 (ANI): Art of Living Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar appealed general public here to support the Maoists that would in turn enable them to give up arms and join the mainstream.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed thousands of people in Maoist infested areas at East Singhbhum, about 40 km from Jamshedpur on Tuesday.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar later told media persons that Maoists want to come forward for talks and need support from the people.

"There is different reason for Maoists of taking up arms. They want justice, and want riddance from corruption and riddance from corrupt political leaders. They want to come forward for talks.

All they need is assurance that general public is with them," said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Maoists, who are banned in several states including Jharkhand, control vast areas of countryside in about a number of states in east, central and parts of South India.

Maoist rebels say they have taken up arms to fight for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has described the rebel group as one of the gravest threats to the country's internal security. ANI)