M A I N   N E W S

Maoists announce 3-month truce
Shirish B. Pradhan

Kathmandu, April 27
Brightening prospects of return of peace and democracy in Nepal, Maoists today announced a three-month unilateral truce, a move welcomed by the seven-party alliance, which vowed to remove the terror tag on the rebels and hold negotiations with them.

A day before the formation of a new government under veteran leader Girija Prasad Koirala and the first meeting of the restored Parliament, Maoist leader Prachanda said, “We declare a unilateral ceasefire with immediate effect for three months”.

During the ceasefire, the People’s Liberation Army would not launch any military action, but would remain in an active defensive position, he said in a statement.

He maintained that King Gyanendra’s proclamation, restoring Parliament, had not addressed Maoists’ issues.

Sticking to the demand for a constituent assembly tasked with rewriting the Constitution, which was likely to limit the powers of the King, Prachanda hoped that the truce period would help in achieving it.

Leaders of the seven-party alliance, which had spearheaded the movement that forced the King to restore Parliament, welcomed the Maoist announcement and expressed commitment to hold constituent assembly elections to bring the rebels to the political mainstream.

Addressing a gathering here to celebrate the victory of the agitation for democracy, Nepal Communist Party (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said the new government would withdraw the terrorist tag from the Maoists, invite them for a dialogue and bring them to the political mainstream.

The alliance also announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of those killed during the 19-day stir.

Those who had suppressed the movement would be penalised, he said, adding that the alliance planned to convert the Royal Nepalese Army to the National Army and rename His Majesty’s Government as Nepal Government.

Giving an assurance to Maoists, he said no one could stop the government from declaring constituent assembly elections, and asked the rebels to try to bring changes in the country by thoughts and not by guns.

Gopalman Shreshtha of the Nepali Congress Democratic Party said the truce would help in bringing the Maoists to the negotiating table for peace talks, that could end the violent conflict.

Nepali Congress president and Prime Minister-designate Koirala could not attend the meeting due to ill health.

Earlier, the Nepali Congress parliamentary party held a meeting, unanimously elected the 81-year old veteran as its leader and sent his name for the post of Prime Minister to the royal palace.

The truce announcement came a day after Maoists lifted a blockade of key highways in Kathmandu and district headquarters following assurances from Koirala that their demands would be met. — PTI