Citizens Initiative for Peace

New Delhi, 11th October 2009
Dear Friends

Subj: Appeal to join public meeting on October 20^th at Constitution Club, Speakers Hall 4 - 7pm.
As you are aware, armed conflict between the Government and Maoists is reaching dangerous proportions in several parts of the country. In these civil war conditions, the real issues that concern the people disappear - such as food security, land and forest rights, education, health and justice. These need to be immediately addressed, which is only possible under conditions of peace and justice.
We are writing to invite you to participate in a public meeting on 20^th October 2009 at the Speakers Hall, Constitution Club, New Delhi, from 4-7 pm. We are inviting representatives from different states and different political parties, as well as a wide cross-spectrum of people to provide their perspective on this issue, and help to chart a way forward.

Our demands are simple and urgent and Government must initiate the process

1.     Cessation of hostilities as well as end to killings by both Government and CPI (Maoist)

2.     Dialogue between Government and CPI (Maoist)

3.     Free access to affected areas for independent civil organizations and media

4.     Addressing of people’s basic livelihood needs. 

Please block October 20^th for this important meeting and strengthen the Citizens Initiative for Peace.

Yours sincerely,

Citizens Initiative for Peace
peacecitizens@yahoo.co.in

Members of the Citizens Initiative for Peace include: Ajit Bhattacharjee,  Amit Bhaduri, Aruna Roy, Apoorvanand, Ajay Dandekar, D. Bandopadhyay, Binayak Sen, SC Behar, Harsh Mander, Harivansh, Himanshu Kumar, KB Saxena, Kavita Srivastava, Kuldeep Nayar, Madhu Sarin, Medha Patkar, Manoranjan Mohanty, Nandini Sundar, PB Sawant, Prabhash Joshi, Rajender Sachar, Ramachandra Guha, Randheer Singh, Ravi Hemadri, S.R. Darapuri, Sandeep Pandey, Sudhir Patnaik, Suhas Borkar, Sumit Chakravarti, Teesta Setalvad and many others.