A powerful rebel leader told tens of thousands of supporters who gathered Monday for his first public appearance in more than 20 years that they must grasp political power for themselves if their government is failing them. The rally in this southern Indian village in Andhra Pradesh state came four days before the first direct talks between Akkiraju Haragopal's People's War Group and the state government. The rebels have agreed to seek an end to a two-decade rebellion that has killed more than 6,000 people. "The state government should stop borrowing money from the World Bank and start distributing agriculture land among small peasants," Haragopal said. Haragopal, who looked frail and sick and coughed repeatedly during his half-hour speech, said People's War — which advocates armed struggle — was taking people's demands straight to the government and that he hoped the government would respond. "If the government fails to do so [hrarf! hack!], people should prepare themselves [wheeze!] to take political power [hack! hack! caff!] into their hands," he said. "We have come forward [wheeze!] to discuss people's issues [hrarf!] with the government. We are ready [hack!] to hold talks but if necessary we can also [wheeze!] fight."
| "Well, maybe I can't, but youse guys can! [hack!]" |
Haragopal and other commanders from People's War and another communist guerrilla outfit, Janashakti, were unarmed and wearing civilian clothing. They are scheduled to hold their first direct talks with the state government on Friday. The peace talks were made possible after the newly elected state government lifted an 8-year-old ban on People's War and declared a cease-fire in June. The rebels claim to draw inspiration from Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.
| That's because his programs worked so well... |
They began fighting government forces in 1981, demanding a communist government and land redistribution. They are active in six Indian states, but Andhra Pradesh is their stronghold. |