Indian Maoist leaders emerge from jungle for talks

The People's War Group (PWG) rebels have been hiding for almost two decades. In a symbolic gesture the Maoist leaders changed out of their battle fatigues and handed over their assault rifles to colleagues who then went back into the jungles.

The Maoist leaders, headed by PWG state secretary Akkiraju Haragopalb, alias Ramakrishna, arrived in Hyderabad early Tuesday, said R.P. Singh, police commissioner of Hyderabad.

"They are being treated as state guests and we are making all security arrangements to ensure their full safety," Singh told AFP.

The rebel leaders addressed a large gathering of followers in Guttikonda Bilam, 300 kilometres (188 miles) southeast of Hyderabad late on Monday night.

Haragopal told the rally the PWG had decided to participate in peace talks to find solutions to some of the basic problems of the people, reports said Tuesday.